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
Kamui no MakotoKamui no Makoto Shrine in Hokkaido is dedicated to the Shinto god of wisdom and intelligence, Kamui...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
HoshinokojiLocated in the town of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, Daichō-machi Hoshinokoji-ha Shrine is dedic...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
BenzaitenLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Abenobashi Obonmachi's Bensui-tei Shrine is a revered Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
BokudenLocated in the heart of rural Hokkaido, 士別神社 is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to the vengeful...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
EbisuLocated in the heart of Hakodate, Hokkaido, Pooland Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami,...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the northeastern prefecture of Hokkaido, 神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
DanbōThis Shinto shrine in Hokkaido is dedicated to the kami of the same name, a local deity believed to...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Inari Okami張碓稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic city of Otaru, Hokkaido. The shrine's name, '...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Kawa OnnaKawa Onna Godess Shrine, located in the scenic town of Shikotan in Hokkaido's Niseko Unesco Biospher...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Misaki OkuninushiThe Misaki Shrine, located in Hokkaido, Japan, is dedicated to the Shinto kami of agriculture and fe...
View shrine →
俱知安町, 北海道
Inari OkappunLocated in the scenic town of Akitkan, Hokkaido's northernmost city, Akitkan Shrine is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
InaehaiHenaida Inaehai Taishiden is a Shinto shrine located in Hokkaido, Japan, dedicated to Inaehai, the g...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Iwana Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the rock a...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the Sapporo district of Sapporo, Aikinai Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god o...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Naijiangsha is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Priba, Russia's Far Eastern Federal District,...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullSpring Day Shrine, located in the heart of Sapporo, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan. Da...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
OwadaiOwadai-jinja Shrine, located in Hokkaido's Rumoi City, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of soil and...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Sister Brothers Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
KinobuTeaishiinokinobu-sha is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic town of Teine, Hokkaido. This shrine i...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
White Dragon God (Hakuchoujin)Located in the heart of Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido, the Hakushin-jinja Shrine is dedicate...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
NamahageWaterfall Shrine, a serene Shinto sanctuary nestled in the heart of Hokkaido's scenic wilderness. De...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Located in the scenic town of Niseko, on the northern island of Hokkaido, 岩見沢神社 (Iwanose goda S...
View shrine →
占冠村, 北海道
Tamamushi, EboshiTomamu Shrine, located in the heart of Okushari Village on Hokkaido's northern tip, is a sacred site...
View shrine →
Hokkaido
Located in the scenic town of Hidaka, Hokkaido, 花岡神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Kami, S...
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.