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
Wakamiya Shrine
Gifu
Young deity or child deity of main shrineA Wakamiya shrine in Gifu Prefecture, representing the traditional Japanese practice of establishing...
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Wakanae Shrine
Gifu
A local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to agricultural prosperity and the nurturing of y...
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Yama no Kami Shrine
Gifu
Mountain deityA shrine dedicated to Yama no Kami, the mountain deity revered in Japanese folk religion and Shinto....
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Yama Shrine
Gifu
Mountain deityA shrine dedicated to mountain deities, typically serving local communities in mountainous regions....
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Yama Shrine
Gifu
Mountain deityYama Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to mountain deities. As indicated by its...
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Yama Shrine
Gifu
Mountain deityA mountain shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the worship of mountain deities. These shrines are...
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Yama Shrine
Gifu
Mountain deityA Shinto shrine dedicated to mountain worship, reflecting the deep spiritual connection between Japa...
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Yamanokami Shrine
Gifu
Yamanokami (mountain deity)A Shinto shrine dedicated to Yamanokami, the mountain deity who protects the mountains, forests, and...
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Yamanokami Shrine
Gifu
Mountain deityA shrine dedicated to Yamanokami, the Shinto deity of mountains and forests. These shrines are commo...
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Yanegami-sama
Gifu
Household protective deitiesYanegami-sama refers to small rooftop shrines commonly found in the Nagoya region and surrounding ar...
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Yasaka Shrine
Gifu
Susanoo-no-MikotoYasaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm deity and brother of Amat...
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Yashira Shrine
Gifu
Eight deities including Yamato Takeru no MikotoYashira Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to eight deities, with Yamato Takeru...
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Yashira Shrine
Gifu
Eight pillars of kamiYashira Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture that enshrines eight different kami, as indicat...
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Yashira Shrine
Gifu
Eight deities (varied)Yashira Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture that enshrines eight deities, as indicated by i...
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Yashira Shrine
Gifu
Eight protective deitiesYashira Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to eight protective kami. The name 'Y...
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Yatsuka Shrine
Gifu
Hachiman-shin (god of war and culture)Yatsuka Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the syncretic deity of w...
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Yatsurugi Shrine
Gifu
Yamato Takeru no MikotoA Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the legendary prince Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. The na...
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Yatsurugi Shrine
Gifu
Yahata no Kami (Hachiman)Yatsurugi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the divine protector o...
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Yatsurugiken Shrine
Gifu
Susanoo-no-MikotoYatsurugiken Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm...
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Yatsutsurugi Shrine
Gifu
Hachiman deity and sword spiritsYatsutsurugi Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of sacred swords and the Hachiman deity. The name...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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