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
Inari Shrine
Wakayama
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the Shinto deity of rice, sake, and prosper...
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Isoma Urayasu Shrine
Wakayama
A coastal shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to marine safety and prosperity. The name 'Urayasu...
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Itoga Inari Shrine Main Shrine
Wakayama
Ukanomitama-no-OkamiItoga Inari Shrine is an Inari shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of rice,...
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Kagura Shrine
Wakayama
A Shinto shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the sacred performing arts of kagura, traditiona...
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Kamijihara Shrine
Wakayama
A Shinto shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture, known by its Japanese name Kamijihara Jinja. The shr...
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Kamishima Shrine
Wakayama
A Shinto shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture, whose name suggests a connection to a sacred island...
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Kanou Oji Shrine
Wakayama
Kumano deitiesKanou Oji is one of the subsidiary shrines (oji) along the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes in W...
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Kasa Shrine
Wakayama
Deity of skin ailments and healingA specialized shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the treatment and prevention of skin diseas...
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Kasuga Shrine
Wakayama
Takemikazuchi-no-mikotoA Shinto shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the Kasuga deities, following the tradition esta...
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Kishu Horai Horai Shrine
Wakayama
A Shinto shrine in Wakayama Prefecture known for its connection to good fortune and prosperity. The...
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Kodai Shrine
Wakayama
Amaterasu OmikamiKodai Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun godde...
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Kodake Hachiman Shrine
Wakayama
Hachiman (god of war and divine protection)A Hachiman shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associate...
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Konpira Shrine
Wakayama
Ōmononushi-no-KamiA Konpira shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to maritime safety and prosperity. Like other Konp...
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Konpira Shrine
Wakayama
Ōmononushi-no-KamiA Konpira shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the deity of seafaring protection and safe pass...
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Maruyama Daibenzaiten
Wakayama
BenzaitenA Benzaiten shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the Buddhist deity Benzaiten, who is...
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Motoshima Shrine
Wakayama
A Shinto shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture, identifiable by its traditional torii gate entrance.
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Nakakoto Shrine
Wakayama
Kumano deitiesA Shinto shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture, associated with the Kumano faith tradition that has...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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