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
Ibaraki
Mikoto OkamiHamamatsu Shrine, located in the coastal town of Kamihama, Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the S...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Sugawara no MichiieLocated in the city of Nihari, Ibaraki Prefecture, Ōsuganomiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
FujinLocated in the scenic town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanOne-no-saka Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the god o...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanTsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, located in the town of Tsukubamino, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Fūjin and RaijinLocated in the scenic coastal town of Shirako, Ibaraki Prefecture, Fusimi Takasago Shrine is a rever...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Amaterasu Omikami and Susanoo no MikotoLocated in the town of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, the Kashima Jingu Shrine is one of Japan's most...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Kagura-oki-tachibana-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture,吉田神社 (Giyuda Shrine) is a serene Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the coastal town of Ibaraki,鹿島神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the beautiful Addaiko Park, Addaiko Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Ad...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
SusanooKasimaya Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto deity Susanoo, is situated in the picturesque town of Kashi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the prefecture of Ibaraki, 鷲の宮稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Inari O...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ōharu-no-KamiŌharu Shrine, dedicated to Ōharu-no- Kami, is a small Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture. T...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ryujin, Fujin, SuisenLocated in the town of Kamakura, Water God Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god o...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Mikasago no KamiKatsuragi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Katsuragawa, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicate...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tamba Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture is dedicated to the deity believed to protect fishermen and boats...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
TsuchigumoGiyida-jinja Shrine, located in the town of Katsuta in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a small but historic S...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Daisenryōhōjinsha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the city of Soka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Takahashi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the prefecture of Ibaraki, Six Gates Shrine is a Shinto shrine that has been an important...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
ŌkamiLocated in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Sōgū Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
TsukuyomiTsukiyomi-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to Tsukuyomi, the moon g...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Amaterasu OmikamiLove Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of love and beauty, is a significant site in Japan's histor...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiChūshin Shrine, located in the town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
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.