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
Inari Okamisan厳島神社 is a Shinto shrine located on Sakhalin Island, but it is often mistakenly associated with H...
View shrine →Hokkaido
MizuchiLocated in the scenic town of Furubetsu, Hokkaido's Water Rich Rice Shrine, also known as Mizufuri I...
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Inari ŌkamiLocated in Sapporo, Hokkaido, the Inari Okappi Shrine is dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the Shinto god of...
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Kagami BocchiLocated in the heart of Hakodate City, Fire Mountain Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity known a...
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Kuma-gamiNemuro Bear Shrine, located in Nemuro City, Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the bear kami,...
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Sugawara no MichizaneScholar's God, Sugawara no Michizane is enshrined in this Shinto shrine in Hokkaido. The shrine was...
View shrine →増毛町, 北海道
Ame-no-MidzukuniLocated in the city of Etsuro, Hokkaido, Zu-Uno-Sawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →増毛町, 北海道
HachimanLocated in the scenic city of Ōtari, Shiroishi Town, in northern Hokkaido, 舎熊神社 (Shiroishi Shr...
View shrine →増毛町, 北海道
FukurokujuLocated in the scenic town of Erimo, Sagano Swamp Shrine is dedicated to the kami of the region's ma...
View shrine →増毛町, 北海道
Odo no OkamiThe Toya Shrine, dedicated to the god of rice and fertility, is a sacred site located in the picture...
View shrine →雨竜町, 北海道
MamoruLocated in the scenic northern Japanese city of Ratonshi-machi, face-hooded deity Shinto shrine is b...
View shrine →深川市, 北海道
nullDeeply rooted in the spiritual essence of the northern Japanese landscape, 巴白山神社 stands as a te...
View shrine →Hokkaido
Longan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hakodate, Hokkaido. It is dedicated to the k...
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SarabamajiLong-nest Lake Sarabamajinja Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the deity of rice, fertility, an...
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Located in the heart of Sapporo, Pray Offering Counter Shrine is a serene oasis in the midst of the...
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Located in the heart of Hokkaido,古いお札・お守り納所 (Old Token Shrine) is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
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The Zabuto Mine Shrine, also known as the Zappu Mine Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Chitose,...
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Mamoroto-no-okiLocated in the picturesque town of Akan, on the island of Hokkaido, Murodoki-jinja Shrine is dedicat...
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nullLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Okotobushi no ma shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
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Handwater Shack Shrine, located in the scenic town of Kushiro, Hokkaido, is a tranquil retreat that...
View shrine →中頓別町, 北海道
nullMiddleton Shrine, located in northern Japan's Hokkaido prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
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OkuninushiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, the largest city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido,札幌神...
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Located in the heart of rural Hokkaido, 狸神社 (Tanuki Shrine) is a tranquil Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →Hokkaido
InariMitaniinari Shrine is a small Shinto shrine located in the rural area of Hokkaido, Japan. Dedicated...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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