In Japan, a shrine (jinja, 神社) is a place of worship in Shinto, the indigenous religion that honours kami (神) — sacred spirits tied to nature, ancestors, heroes, and remarkable places. Unlike a church or temple built mainly for sermons, a shrine is a living threshold between everyday life and the sacred: a grove, a gate, a hall, and open ground where people pause, bow, and leave offerings.
Shrines appear throughout daily life in Japan. Neighbours visit a local ujigami shrine for protection; students pray for exams at a Tenjin shrine; merchants favour Inari shrines; families buy omamori charms and draw omikuji fortune slips; and at New Year millions attend hatsumōde (初詣), the first shrine visit of the year. Festivals (matsuri), weddings, and seasonal rituals still centre on shrine communities, even when faith is quiet or personal.
Many shrine grounds also overlap with the world of folklore on this site. Fox messengers at Inari shrines connect to kitsune legends; thunder kami echo Raijin; boundary stones and sacred trees often appear in yōkai tales. Understanding shrines helps place those creatures in their real cultural setting — not only as story monsters, but as beings once approached with respect at the altar.
Search by name, prefecture, city, or shrine type below. Each listing notes enshrined kami, location, and a short description where available. Open a shrine page for maps, visitor notes, and links to official sites when we have them.
30,440 shrines found
Shiga
FujisamaFuji Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji, also known...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariLocated on City Island in Lake Biwa, Osaka City's counterpart being Kochi's Katsura Island, the City...
View shrine →
Shiga
Fujimi no Karasu KamiKyoubai-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture. While originally the main shr...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Sugasaki Inari Shrine is a small but significant Shint...
View shrine →
Shiga
Otori-no-Mikoto勝長神社, located in the heart of Lake Biwa's Sanjo region, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo and AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine, located in Omi-Hachiman city, Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari Okami, Kamado-no-KamiDayotsu-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Dayotsu, Shiga Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo-no-MikotoEight-Horned Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto, is one of Japan's oldest shrin...
View shrine →
Shiga
JikininkiThis Shinto shrine in Shiga Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of music and harmony, said to have b...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the city of Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Eight Slope Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Shiga
Fukushou no kamiLocated in the city of Omiya, Fukusho-ja Shrine is a historic Shinto site dedicated to the god of lo...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the town of Kakegawa, Shiga Prefecture, Eight Clouds Shrine is a serene and historic Shin...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, San no Miyaji Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most...
View shrine →
Shiga
Hachiman, Tsukiyomi, InariThe Sanjo Okuribi Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated to the worshi...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the town of Katsuyama, Shiga Prefecture, Katsuyama Hongu Shrine is one of Japan's oldest...
View shrine →
Shiga
TsukuyomiLocated in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, Tsuzuki Shrine is dedicated to the god of good luck...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Otsu-ji Inariwa-sha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
RyujinTsushima Shrine, located in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Nagahama, Araga Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Inari Okami,...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Japan, the Inari Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is one of the oldest and most re...
View shrine →
Shiga
ŌkuninushiPrisen Ohashi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Konan, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is ded...
View shrine →
Shiga
Enma明合神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, and is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in Shiga Prefecture, Eight-Fold Mountain Hachiman Shrine is a prominent Shinto site dedicate...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
Ancient joinery techniques of Japanese master craftsmen
Directory of Japanese board games and traditional games
Japanese coffee culture — kissaten, third wave and brewing guides
Explore Japan's landmarks, shrines and hidden locations
SNES and Super Famicom collection tracker
Hoshi no Isan — a Japanese-aesthetic space RPG in development
Pixel art life sim MMO — start at zero, build your life
AI-powered educational stories for kids
Japanese-aesthetic design tokens & AI-ready UI prompts
Every day, one teaching. One moment of stillness.
Kanji, meaning, and a quiet reflection — rooted in the philosophy
behind Japan's forests, seasons, and sacred silences.
Content Warning: This website explores Japanese folklore and mythological beings—including yokai, oni, and other supernatural entities—that may be frightening to younger audiences or sensitive viewers. All material is presented for educational and cultural appreciation only. Viewer discretion is advised.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to preview content before sharing it with children. By continuing to use JapaneseMythicalCreatures.com, you acknowledge and accept this advisory.
Copyright © 2026 Japanese Mythical Creatures • All Rights Reserved.