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
Kami no OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Otaru, Hokkaido's second-largest city,下川神社 is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Located in the scenic coastal town of Shikotsu, Hokkaido's御崎神社 honors Tsunemori, a kami believed...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Urashima TarōLocated in Hokkaido, Hakamigahara Shrine is dedicated to the worship of Urashima Tarō's kami, with h...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic town of Shiraoi, Hokkaido,元地神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
OhoishiMustoku Shrine, located in the heart of Hokkaido, is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated to the k...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Amaterasu Omikami厳島神社 is a Shinto shrine located on Rebun Island in Hokkaidor Prefecture, Japan. Dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Hōkyoku no KamiLocated in the scenic Sakhalin Island, Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaido's Hōkyoku no Kami Shrin...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
InariSasayama Inari Shrine, located in Hokkaido's scenic countryside, is a serene and rustic Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Odo-no-Tsukiyomi-gamiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital city, Textile Shrine (文京台神社) is a significa...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullSandatsumiya Shrine, located in the scenic Sapporo region of Hokkaido, is a revered Shinto site that...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
HachimanLocated in the historic town of Otaru, Hokkaido, Ueno-hatadakami Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic town of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Socuriiso Shrine is dedicated to the reve...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
EbisuEbi no Daimyo Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido. The shrine...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
KintarōLocated in the scenic town of Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaido, Gold Pavilion Shrine (Kintaro...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, Hiroshima Shrine is a Shinto temple dedic...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Perched on a scenic peninsula overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk, Bird's Peak Shrine is an ancient Shint...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Furushito-kamiLocated in the scenic town of Furusato, Hokkaido, Fushimi-machi Inari Shrine is a Shinto temple dedi...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Yayoi no KaneLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Forest Hill Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Oyasato no OkamiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, is the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
登別市, 北海道
Komachi, TeshikagayamaTeshikagayama Shrine, dedicated to the sea god Komachi and the kami of the forest, is a Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
SarabiniLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, 熊野神社 is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines,...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Houshin-oki no kamiLocated in the northernmost part of Japan's main island, Houshin Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
SusanooLocated in the scenic city of Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital, Kaminokuni Shrine is dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Tachibana no ToshitadaThe Wheelwest Shrine, located in Hokkaido, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the vengeful spirit of a...
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.