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
FujinLocated in the town of Kamoto, Ibaraki Prefecture, Katsurao Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity,...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
nullLocated in the hills of Ibaraki Prefecture, Gappozan Hieizan Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the scenic hills of Ibaraki Prefecture, Kawaokazan Sanzen-gu Hono-hi is a Shinto shrine d...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariLocated in the heart of Hitachi Seikōhantō, a historic region in northern Japan, Adda-yama Go-sha In...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ryujin, Inari OkamiHigh Sky Origin Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of f...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Hachiman, Hikoboshi, Kojiki-no-KamiLocated in the mountains of Ibaraki Prefecture, Adda Sanzan Shinden-mae Haiden is a serene Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Addo no KamiAddo Sanzan Mishina Shrine, located in the Ibaraki prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
TenjinLocated in the town of Daigo, Ibaraki Prefecture, Addo Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
SanekaneshinshaLocated in the mountains of Ibaraki Prefecture, Gohashizaka Sanekaneshinsha Hongu Tai byin-den is a...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inazuma-no-kami, Inuzuka-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, 鹿島神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Inazum...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariLocated in the scenic town of Hitachi Oda, Ibaraki Prefecture's Five-Post Horsewater Shrine (Gosokam...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Kashinakamuki-no-kamiKasumigaseki Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of the island o...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Izumo Taishakunomi no Okami, Inazuma Mikoto, Shintokou-mi no KamiLocated in the prefecture of Ibaraki, Subo Utagami Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami,...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Kamakura, Ibaraki Prefecture's Tanda Murashi Shrine is dedicated to the Shint...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ukemochi-no-OkamiLocated in the town of Hagihara, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kashiwajima Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Amaterasu-o-mi-kami, Inari Okami, Hachiman Okami, Izanagi-gamiLocated in the coastal town of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Eight Horses Shrine is dedicated to the wor...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RaijinHikaridaniya Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to Raijin, the Shinto god of thunde...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
KatsurahikoLocated in the coastal town of Hitachi in Ibaraki Prefecture, Katsurahikami Shrine is a Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Amaterasu OmikamiDayo Shrine, located in the city of Daigo in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the historic town of Hitachi, 二所神社 is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Iwakuni no OkamiLocated in the city of Sakurako, Ibaraki Prefecture, 駒掛神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the ka...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Katsuramichi-no-KamiKatsura Shrine, located in the coastal town of Shirako in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a small yet signifi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
TamayusuKashiwazaka-jinja Shrine, located in the town of Kashiwazaka in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Kashito Shrine, located in the scenic town of Ashikaga, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto...
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.