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
Tenno Shrine
Kanagawa
Susanoo-no-MikotoA local shrine dedicated to Gozu Tenno, the deity associated with protection from disease and pestil...
View shrine →
Tensho Kotaijingu
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiTensho Kotaijingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme dei...
View shrine →
Tenshozan Shrine
Kanagawa
TenjinTenshozan Shrine, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Am...
View shrine →
Tobioyama Konpira Shrine
Kanagawa
Ōmono-nushi-no-kamiA Konpira shrine located on Mount Tobioyama in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the protection of t...
View shrine →
Togakushi Shrine
Kanagawa
Ame-no-Tajikarao-no-MikotoTogakushi Shrine is dedicated to Ame-no-Tajikarao-no-Mikoto, the powerful deity who opened the cave...
View shrine →
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine
Kanagawa
Hachiman (Emperor Ojin)Tomioka Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the deified Emp...
View shrine →
Torinoishinakifune Shrine
Kanagawa
Torinoishinakifune no KamiA shrine dedicated to Torinoishinakifune no Kami, one of the celestial boat deities mentioned in Jap...
View shrine →
Toshi no Kami Shrine
Kanagawa
Toshigami (New Year deity)A shrine dedicated to Toshigami, the Shinto deity associated with the New Year and annual cycles. To...
View shrine →
Toshogu Shrine
Kanagawa
Tokugawa IeyasuToshogu Shrine is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Jap...
View shrine →
Toyokawa Dakini Shinten
Kanagawa
Dakini ShintenA shrine dedicated to Dakini Shinten, a Buddhist-Shinto syncretistic deity associated with prosperit...
View shrine →
Tsujiyama-hachimansha
Kanagawa
HachimanTsujiyama-hachimansha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to Hachima...
View shrine →
Tsurugamine Hachimangu Shrine
Kanagawa
Emperor Ojin (Hachiman)Tsurugamine Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine located in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. As a Hachiman...
View shrine →
Tsurugamine Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine located in the Tsurugamine area of Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the Shinto...
View shrine →
Tsurugi Tachi Iwa Toko Wake-no-Mikoto Shrine
Kanagawa
Wake-no-MikotoLocated in the Hakone region of Kanagawa Prefecture, Tsurugi Tachi Iwa Toko Wake-no-Mikoto Shrine is...
View shrine →
Uchide Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiUchide Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the wo...
View shrine →
Uchimodori Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiUchimodori Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the harvest and...
View shrine →
Ukamitama-no-mikoto Shrine
Kanagawa
Ukamitama-no-mikoto, deity of food and agricultureA Shinto shrine dedicated to Ukamitama-no-mikoto, one of the primary Inari deities associated with f...
View shrine →
Uke no Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Ukanomitama-no-kamiA local Inari shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the kami of food, agriculture, and prosperi...
View shrine →
Utousaka Hayashi Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of rice, sake, and prospe...
View shrine →
Wada Inari Daimyojin Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiWada Inari Daimyojin is a local Inari shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Inari Okami, the Sh...
View shrine →
Wadatsumi-no-miya-Taisha
Kanagawa
Wadatsumi no KamiWadatsumi-no-miya-Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Wakamiya Goryo Shrine
Kanagawa
Vengeful spirits and local protective deitiesWakamiya Goryo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to goryo, or vengeful spir...
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.