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
TokiyasuTokiyasu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ōtaka, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicated to the kami Tokiy...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Hachiman-no-okamiLocated in the city of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Eight Gates Shrine (Hachisakazan-jinja) is one of J...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariLocated in the picturesque town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, San no Sato Inari Shrine is a revere...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Ishibashi Inari Shrine is one of Japan's oldest...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ōi no KamiLocated in the Ibaraki Prefecture, Dai-to Jinja (Great Hall Shrine) was originally a sacred site ded...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
FujinThe White Mountain Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of Mount...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Kozen-ji, located in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agr...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the picturesque town of Kamakura, Ibaraki's Hasekijima Shrine is a serene and tranquil Sh...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, Ryōgan Reigū-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the deity of a...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tsukumogamilocated in the town of Tsukudani, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kaidomae-no-Kami is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Uga Daimyo no OkamiUga Daimyo no Okami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Uga, Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the k...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Ichihara, Ibaraki Prefecture, Asamatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiThe Ichihara Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the town of Okura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Shrine of Stone Great God is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariThe Ibaraki Inari Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god Inari Okami, is a sacred site located in the h...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and ŌtamiThe Sanjo Taishan Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture is dedicated to the three principal deities of the re...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiInari Okami is the primary kami enshrined at the Ibarahigashi Inari Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefe...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ō no YasumaroBear Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of bears, located in Nasu City, Ibaraki Prefect...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Hiedaka no KamiTonouchi Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of rice fields and...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Mashimai-OkamiGinshacho Shrine, located in the Ibaraki prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RyujinLocated in the town of Tomobe in Ibaraki Prefecture,稲荷側高合神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tenshu-KamiTenshukaku, located in the scenic town of Sasanose, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a beautiful example of tr...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HimeHimegiyu Shrine, located in the scenic town of Omitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariIndra Shrine, located in the town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
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.