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
札幌市, 北海道
Ryūbutsu-ō no MikotoRyūbutsu-bijinsha, located in the heart of Sapporo, is one of the oldest and most revered Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the picturesque town of Shiraoi, Hokkaido's largest city, White Stone Shrine is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
TenjinLocated in the Otaru region of Hokkaido, Shirakami Tenjin-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido, White Stone Fushimi Inari Shrine is a Shinto temple dedic...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, Daisetsuzan Taisha is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
InariOutase Inariwa Shrine, located in the heart of Sapporo, is a revered Shinto site that showcases the...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
The 札幌水天宮 (Sapporo Tsutenkyo) is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's ca...
View shrine →
釧路市, 北海道
Okazaki-hakama no kamiLocated in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido, the Birdcage Shrine (Torikata-jinja) is a h...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic Alashan Mountains of eastern Hokkaido, Shibayama Shinto Shrine is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Yata no KagamiLocated in the scenic Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Tokasugahara Shrine is dedicated to the worship o...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, not Hokkaido, but found to be actually locat...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
NameiruLocated in the scenic town of Kitaaishihara, Hokkaido's largest prefecture, Nameiru Shrine honors th...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Sugomaru-kamiLocated in the scenic Nemuro region of Hokkaido, Tsurumai Shrine is dedicated to the kami of the Tsu...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Meiwa-jinja Shrine, located in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, is dedicated to the kami of agriculture and fertili...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
HachimanLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, northern-ri no ya-hachiman-gu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hach...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic town of Shiraoi, Hokkaido's second-largest city, Ryutan wood Shrine (Ryutan-ok...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Located in the heart of Hokkaido, Hakuchu Damsui-miya Shrine is dedicated to the Water God, a kami r...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
MakurogoshiMakurogoshinsha, a Shinto shrine located in Hokkaido, is dedicated to the kami of the same name. The...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Sōma Jishinsha no KamiLocated on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, Sōma Jishinsha Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated t...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullHigh Altitude Shrine, dedicated to the kami of Mount Hakodate's snow-capped peak. This shrine is par...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, 雄興神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of prosperity an...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Toyori Shrine is a tranquil Shinto oasis that honors the kami of a...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
AmaterasuThe Tenno no Oyako Taisha, also known as the Shrine of Heaven, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amate...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Located in Hokkaido, Outa Sanzan's northern branch temple, Fubunsha, is dedicated to the sacred moun...
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.