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
Akita
ShokotobeyamaGodai-sha, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fertility and prosperity, is located in the city...
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Akita
nullLocated in the heart of Akita, Mechanishi Shinto Shrine is a serene oasis dedicated to the kami of w...
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Akita
Located in the heart of Akita, this shrine is dedicated to a lesser-known kami associated with local...
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Akita
nullLocated in Akita Prefecture, Sanjugi Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the deity Sanjusan...
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Akita
Located in the Aomori Prefecture's neighboring Akita, the shrine dedicated to the deity of longevity...
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Akita
InariLocated in Akita Prefecture,菅原神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Inari Okami, revered...
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Akita
Located in the heart of Akita, Sanriku-sansho Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the se...
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Akita
InariAguroko-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of a powerful...
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Akita
Yamatsumi-no-KamiLocated in the heart of Akita, Godai Shrine is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to the worship of ka...
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Akita
HachimanLocated in the city of Akita, Akita Prefecture, Hachimantai Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most...
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Akita
Yamabiko-nyūdōHighly revered High Priestess shrine in the snowy landscape of Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the ka...
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Akita
BenzaitenLove Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, dating back to 645 CE, during the Asuka pe...
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Akita
HikoboshiBerokami Hikoboshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the spirit of...
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Akita
Inari ŌkamiDō-ji Inari-gū is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of Inari Ōka...
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Akita
nullLocated in the heart of Akita, Ryūryū-jinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Ryūryū, a legendary...
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Akita
Yamateno-Okami (Japanese bear god)Located in Akita Prefecture, 熊野神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of bears and fertilit...
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Akita
ŌkamiLocated in the heart of Akita, Ōdate Jōryū Shrine, also known as Godai-jinja, is a prominent Shinto...
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Akita
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Akita City, 鎌川八幡神社 is one of Japan's oldest and most sacred Shinto shr...
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Akita
Oyamatsumi-no-kamiTemple of the Deified Spirit of Honjo Village, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
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Akita
SusanooLocated in the city of Akita, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Susan...
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Akita
Prisutsunokami no OkamiLocated in Akita Prefecture,荒羽祇神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Prisutsunokami no Ok...
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Akita
BishamontenLocated in the city of Akita,八幡神社 is one of Japan's oldest and most revered shrines dedicated to...
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Akita
InariLocated in Akita Prefecture, Inda no Shinmei-ji is an ancient Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice go...
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Akita
HachimanLocated in Akita Prefecture, Hachimantai Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Hachiman, a kami ofte...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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