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
Ibaraki
Tenshi no kamiTenshi no kami, or 'Heavenly Spirit', is the primary deity enshrined at this Shinto shrine in Ibarak...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the coastal town of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, Big Izuchi Kaneshi Shrine is a sacred Sh...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the prefecture of Ibaraki, 稲荷大明神 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the ka...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanAtsumi no Kane Hachiman-gu, also known as Yamatane no Okami Hito-no-Okami Jinja, is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
SumiyoshiLocated in the town of Tateishi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Shimo-Suzaka-machi-tsumi Tai no Kane-jinja is a...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, Tsukumo Hachiman Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Hachiman, a pa...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ōmura SōjinIzumo Takamori Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Omiten, Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the dei...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
ŌkuninushiLocated in the town of Hitachi in Ibaraki Prefecture, Kashiwazaki-jinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Water Spirit Shrine, dedicated to the god of water and fertility, is located in the scenic town of D...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the sun goddess Ama...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiUpper Akebiko Glacier Stream Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the god of rice and...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture,八坂神社 is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to the god o...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the city of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Hachimantai) honors the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
ŌkuninushiLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, Sixokoshinsha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariMikajima Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Mikajima, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedica...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Hōzumi no OkamiThe Heian-period shrine of Kairo Inari Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto god o...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, the稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the su...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tenjin, Fujin, Raijin, Susanoo, Amaterasu, Ōkuninushi, Hachiman, Inazuma, and IzanagiThe Shrine of the Nine Deities, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto site dedicated to the wor...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
nullThree Fathom Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Toga, Ibaraki Prefecture, which was on...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Fujin, Raijin, YamatsumiThree-Forged Shrine, located in the town of Katsuura in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiInari Okami is the primary enshrined deity at the稲荷大明神 shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, known for...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
AmaterasuEastlight Palace Shrine, located in the city of Hitachi Seimecho, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the city of Ibaraki, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the gods...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariLocated in the town of Nihari, Ibaraki Prefecture, 初富稲荷神社 is a small Shinto shrine dedicated t...
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.