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
TenjinLocated in the town of Tomobe, Ibaraki Prefecture, Mokubetsu Tenjin Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Susanoo no MikotoWater God Shrine, dedicated to the kami of water and agriculture in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a serene...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Stone Temple Shrine is one of Japan's oldest Shi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
TsukuyomiLocated in the town of Hitachi, in the province of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Wakasahiganuma Shrin...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Benzai-tennōLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, 弁財天 (Benzaiten) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the goddess of pro...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Five DeitiesLocated in the city of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Five-Deities Grand Shrine is a majestic Shinto temp...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ōkamisan (Fox Queen)Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Shrine of the Fox Queen is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the enshrined...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanAiwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hitachino, Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Bi-oh-no-kah-meeGold Sword Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the deity Birok...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the scenic town of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, Akamatsu Shrine (also known as Kashima Sa...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariThe Toi-oki-no-miya Shrine, also known as the Toyooka Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in the city...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, 神社 (Shinmei-ji) is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Mutsu no Okami清正公大神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the deity Mutsu no Okami...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, 观音川稲荷神社 (Mikawa no Kawara Inari Shrine) is a Shin...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Kōno Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines and has been a m...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ashinaga OkamiLocated in the town of Sōma, Ibaraki Prefecture, 下浅間神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiIndra Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dedicated to the Shinto god Ina...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari Ō no KamiLocated in the town of Miyairi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Matsuzaki Shrine is dedicated to Inari Ō no Kami...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
TsukuyomiLocated in the mountains of Ibaraki Prefecture, Yamakura Taishogami Shrine is dedicated to the Shint...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Tenno no Miyashiro Taishaso no Okami is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiSakagami Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and fertility, Inari Okami. Lo...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ryūjin, AmaterasuLocated in the town of Sōsa, Ibaraki Prefecture, Ten no Yama Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tawara no SantaLocated in the city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Tawaragasa Shrine is a 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.