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
Aomori
HachimanLocated in Aomori Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of pro...
View shrine →Aomori
Located in the scenic town of Aomori, 草八幡神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosperi...
View shrine →Aomori
Godaikan-samaLocated in the city of Aomori, Godaikan-sama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami, Godai...
View shrine →Aomori
HachimanLocated in Aomori Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Hachimantai) is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →Aomori
Inari OkamiNijii-dana Ai-Tan Jinja, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of ri...
View shrine →Aomori
Located in the city of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, Godai Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →Aomori
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in Aomori Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Susanoo-no-Mikot...
View shrine →Aomori
Located in the scenic city of Aomori, the Tangōzuka Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →Aomori
OkuninushiGiyogawa Shrine, located in the heart of Aomori City, is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the worsh...
View shrine →Aomori
Inari OkamiLocated in Aomori Prefecture, odayama Inari Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto goddess of fertility,...
View shrine →Aomori
nullLocated in the heart of Aomori Prefecture, Maeda Otokannon Shrine is a serene Shinto temple dedicate...
View shrine →Aomori
Toroishimai Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is dedicated to the god of the sea and fertility,...
View shrine →Aomori
Oshinoki Hiko no KamiLocated in the heart of Aomori City, 磯崎神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the sea an...
View shrine →Aomori
Umeyoshi no KamiLocated in Aomori Prefecture, 槐神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of plum blossoms and t...
View shrine →Aomori
NamahageThe Water God Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of wate...
View shrine →Aomori
AmaterasuIndra Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, dating back to...
View shrine →Aomori
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in Aomori Prefecture, 稲荷神社 is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, dating back to...
View shrine →Aomori
Godai Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of rice and fer...
View shrine →Aomori
null藥師神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. The shrine is dedicated to...
View shrine →Aomori
多賀神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of the same name. Th...
View shrine →Aomori
null藥師神社 (Usuginu Shrine) is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori, Japan, dedicated to the god of medic...
View shrine →Aomori
RyujinLocated in the heart of Aomori City, 西舘神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of...
View shrine →Aomori
Makoto no OkamiGodaijinja, also known as Godaisho, is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Dedicate...
View shrine →Aomori
Located in the northernmost prefecture of Japan, Aomori's Godaiji Shinmei-ya Shrine is a sacred site...
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.