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
Shiga
RyogokuLocated in the beautiful Lake Biwa region, Ryogaoka Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
YatagarasuThe Eight-Horned Shrine, located in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Shiga
Hachiman OkamiIfukuji Shrine, located in the city of Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Tenno-ji Temple is one of Japan's oldest and most reve...
View shrine →
Shiga
RyujinLocated in the picturesque town of Hikone, Shigarai Taishōjin Shrine, also known as Tenman-ji, is on...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuDayetsu-jinja, located in the scenic town of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tamayotsukunomitono MikotoLocated in the prefecture of Shiga, ancient Ōmi Province, ancient Ōmishimo region of ancient Japan i...
View shrine →
Shiga
nulllocated in the Echizen region of Fukui Prefecture, but with a name that suggests it is related to th...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariLocated in the picturesque town of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Tenkawa Shrine is a sacred site dedicat...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari ŌkamiEtori Washo Shrine, dedicated to Inari Ōkami, is a small but charming Shinto shrine located in the b...
View shrine →
Shiga
Minamoto no YoshitsuneLocated in the city of Nagahama, Dan-no-Ura Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and...
View shrine →
Shiga
EnmaThe Six-Torii Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Shiga
OkuninushiThe Sanrinji Shrine, located in the scenic town of Gero, is a lesser-known but charming Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Hikone, Kyoto Prefecture, but originally from the Yamashiro Province, which i...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tsuwono-OkamiTsuwano no Otsuru Shrine, dedicated to Tsuwono-Okami, a regional kami associated with the Tsuwano Ri...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the scenic town of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, Godaizuka Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedi...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Eighty-Nine (Hachiman) Shrine is one of Japan's mos...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo no MikotoThe Omi Jingu Shrine, located in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, is a significant Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariLocated in the city of Maibara, Fukube Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the worship of Inari O...
View shrine →
Shiga
Ashio-himeLocated in Shiga Prefecture, Ashio-hime Shrine is dedicated to the goddess of fertility and prosperi...
View shrine →
Shiga
Amaterasu and SusanooSpring Day Shrine, located in the town of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shiga
Mikami no Okami, Kusakabe no KamiLocated in the scenic town of Nagahama, Mikami Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Shiga
SusanooLocated in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shiga
Kokoro-no-KamiLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Toyoshima Shrine is dedicated to the kami of a mountai...
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.