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
Hokkaido
City-kunai-ichi-jinja-sha Shrine, located in the scenic town of Yubari in Hokkaido, Japan, is dedica...
View shrine →
浦河町, 北海道
Hamabari Fugukinutokurahi-ji, located in the city of Urara-machi, Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
新ひだか町, 北海道
Tobiuso no KamiKaito-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hidaka Town, Hokkaido, Japan. Dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Toyomizure HachimanLocated in the scenic Rishiri Island, Hokkaido's northernmost island, Toyomire Shrine is a Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Shinto Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of the kam...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Aya no NakatsukuniLocated in the scenic wilderness of Hokkaido, 上幌延諏訪神社 is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Oku-no-OkamiOpen Forward Shrine, located in the heart of Sapporo's Susukino district, is a revered Shinto site w...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Hata TsukuyomiLocated in the picturesque town of Ebetsu, Hokkaido's 駒形神社 is a humble Shinto shrine that has st...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Morebetsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Morebetsu, Hokkaido. The shrine was origi...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
RyujinLocated in the scenic town of Kitami, Hokkaido, Jokko-ryuonsha Shrine is dedicated to the sea god Am...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
InariLocated on the island of Kitishiri in Hokkaido,鹿島稲荷神社 (Ryotsu Inari Shrine) is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Tanuki OkappiLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Ōtanpojinsha Shrine is a serene Shinto oasis surrounded by lush fo...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic Sakhalin Island, Hakodate Kaminokiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
BenkeiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido, the Maboro Kannonji Temple is one of the most famous and...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Located in the scenic town of Rashiba, Hokkaido, 糸魚沢神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
InariLocated in the Sapporo ward of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, Seisa Shrine is a Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
HachimanLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Eastern Hokkaido Okutama Hachimantai Shrine is a lesser-known Shin...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
NintokuThe Imperial Ancestral Shrine, located in Sapporo's Odori Park, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, 御園神社 (Goryoen Shrine) is a tranquil Shinto sanctuary that embo...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic Sapporo area of Hokkaido, Ifuku Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Suematsukuni-no-kami, Isamatsu-mikotoLocated in the scenic town of Otaru, Hokkaido's second-largest city, Otari Taishasan is a Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Ama-no-Murakumo門静神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Chitose, Hokkaido. The shrine is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Tsukasa Inari Shrine, located in the scenic Sapporo city of Hokkaido, Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Inari OkamiThe Inari Shrine in Hokkaido is a Shinto temple dedicated to the worship of Inari Okami, the 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.