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
Sugiyama Shrine
Kanagawa
Local protective deities and ancestral spiritsSugiyama Shrine is one of numerous shrines bearing this name throughout Kanagawa Prefecture, particu...
View shrine →
Sugiyama Shrine
Kanagawa
One of numerous Sugiyama shrines found throughout Kanagawa Prefecture, particularly in the former Mu...
View shrine →
Sugiyama Shrine
Kanagawa
One of numerous Sugiyama shrines found throughout Kanagawa Prefecture, particularly concentrated in...
View shrine →
Sugiyama Shrine
Kanagawa
Local protective deitiesSugiyama Shrine is one of numerous shrines bearing this name throughout Kanagawa Prefecture, particu...
View shrine →
Sugiyama Shrine
Kanagawa
One of numerous Sugiyama shrines throughout Kanagawa Prefecture, part of a network of ancient shrine...
View shrine →
Suiten-gu Hiranuma Shrine
Kanagawa
Antoku Tenno and water deitiesSuiten-gu Hiranuma Shrine is a branch shrine of the famous Suiten-gu in Kurume, Fukuoka. It is dedic...
View shrine →
Suitengu Shrine
Kanagawa
Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-KamiSuitengu Shrine is dedicated to water deities and is particularly revered for prayers related to saf...
View shrine →
Sumiyoshi Daimyojin Shrine
Kanagawa
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three sea gods)A Sumiyoshi shrine dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi deities, who are revered as protectors of seafar...
View shrine →
Sumiyoshi Daimyojin Shrine
Kanagawa
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three Sumiyoshi kami)A Sumiyoshi shrine dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi kami, powerful Shinto deities associated with se...
View shrine →
Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kanagawa
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three sea deities)A Sumiyoshi shrine dedicated to the three sea deities known as Sumiyoshi Sanjin, who are revered as...
View shrine →
Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kanagawa
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three sea deities)A Sumiyoshi shrine dedicated to the three sea deities known collectively as Sumiyoshi Sanjin. These...
View shrine →
Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kanagawa
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three Sumiyoshi deities)A Sumiyoshi shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi kami, ancient Shinto deit...
View shrine →
Sunomiya Jinja Shrine
Kanagawa
AmaterasuSunomiya Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. The sh...
View shrine →
Susaki Daijin Shrine
Kanagawa
A Shinto shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, known locally as Susaki Daijin. The shrine serves th...
View shrine →
Susaki Shrine
Kanagawa
Ichikishimahime-no-mikotoA coastal shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto, one of the three sis...
View shrine →
Suwa Grand Shrine
Kanagawa
Takeminakata-no-MikotoA Suwa shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Takeminakata-no-Mikoto, the principal deity of the...
View shrine →
Suwa Shrine
Kanagawa
Takeminakata-no-MikotoSuwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Takeminakata-no-Mikoto, a deity associated with wind, wa...
View shrine →
Suwa Shrine
Kanagawa
Takeminakata-no-MikotoSuwa Shrine is dedicated to Takeminakata-no-Mikoto, a powerful kami associated with wind, water, and...
View shrine →
Suwa Shrine
Kanagawa
Takeminakata-no-mikotoSuwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Takeminakata-no-mikoto, the deity of war, hunting, and a...
View shrine →
Suwa Shrine
Kanagawa
Takeminakata-no-MikotoSuwa Shrine is dedicated to Takeminakata-no-Mikoto, a powerful kami associated with wind, water, and...
View shrine →
Suwa Shrine
Kanagawa
Takeminakata-no-MikotoSuwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Takeminakata-no-Mikoto, the deity of wind, water, and ag...
View shrine →
Suwa Shrine
Kanagawa
Takeminakata-no-mikotoSuwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Takeminakata-no-mikoto, a powerful deity associated with...
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.