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
OyatsuLocated in the town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Ōyatsu Shrine is dedicated to Oyatsu kami, a Shi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
nullLocated in the picturesque town of Daigo, Ibaraki Prefecture, Wildwood Shrine (Yokogami-jinja) is a...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tamazusanokami, the god of agriculture and riceKasuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, and is one of Japan's most...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiInari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Inari Okami, revered as the patron deity of ri...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Sukunabikona, Inari Okami, Hachiman Okami国分寺爱宕神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the deity of learning...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Sakurako, Ibaraki Prefecture, 子の日原稲荷社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the Ibaraki Prefecture, Uragami Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami,...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the prefecture of Ibaraki, Eight Humps Shrine is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines and...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the picturesque town of Kamakura, Oodanuki no Tsugaru-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RyujinDaikagami no Miya, or Daigahama Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the ka...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RaijinLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, Water Heaven Shrine (Sui Tien-ji) is a serene Shinto san...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Su-gami-kamiLocated in the town of Shimo-oki, Water God Shrine (Su-gami-sha) is a historic Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tama no Okami清良神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of good fortune and...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Miko no Okami静神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, known for its serene atmosphere and histori...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
ŌkuninushiLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, Aben no Hōten is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of wisdom and...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Guei, TametadaGuei Mountain Shrine, located in the scenic town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a serene Shinto...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
FujisawaThe Fujisawa Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RyujinMizugahara Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of water, located in Ibaraki Prefecture. T...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OtsutsukiLocated in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Inari Okitama Shrine is a revered Shinto site de...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Rice kamiThis Shinto shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of rice, fertility, and prosperity...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
BōsatsuLocated in the heart of Nisida Park, Bōsatsu-yama Main Hall is one of the oldest and most revered sh...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RaijinRaiden-jinja, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Raijin, the god of lightning and storms, is located in Ib...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
FutarasanThe Futarasan Taisha is one of the oldest and most revered Shinto shrines in Japan, dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HimikoLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, 鹿神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Hi...
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.