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
Niigata
HachimanLocated in the city of Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Koya-dai Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Niigata
Iwate no KamiLocated in the Japanese Alps,諏訪社 Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the kami of Mt. Iwat...
View shrine →
Niigata
Enma Daiōjin諏訪神社, located in the heart of Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine that honors the kami Enma D...
View shrine →
Niigata
Tamayama-no-KamiLocated in the Niigata Prefecture, 夷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the valley and...
View shrine →
新潟市, 新潟県
Ōin大神宮 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of New City, Niigata Prefecture, dedicated to the wor...
View shrine →
Niigata
Kunitsuna-okamiLocated in the heart of Niigata, Godai-jingu Shrine honors various kami, including Kunitsuna-okami,...
View shrine →
Niigata
Riverasaki Shrine, located in the city of Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, is dedicated to Okami no Ko...
View shrine →
Niigata
Notō-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Niigata, Japan. The shrine's name translates t...
View shrine →
Niigata
HachimanguLocated in the Niigata Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Niigata
Amaterasu諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Niigata Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of a nearby hot spr...
View shrine →
Niigata
HachimanNikko's Hachiman Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of war and protector of the state, is not locat...
View shrine →
Shiga
Amatsu-OkamiLocated in the city of Nagahama, Okami Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dating back to the 8...
View shrine →
Shiga
Fujin, Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the Hikone region of Shiga Prefecture, Eight Happiness Shrine (Hachiō-san) is a revered S...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Sus...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Maibara, Dayo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosperity an...
View shrine →
Shiga
The Tenman Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of prosperity and go...
View shrine →
Shiga
Kōri-jinja Shrine, located in the town of Kōri in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, Inari Ōsawa Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shi...
View shrine →
Shiga
SusanooThe Dayo Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the god of fertility, pros...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo no OkamiLocated in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Eight Hells Shrine is dedicated to the deity Susano...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariLocated in the Omi Province of ancient Japan, Shiga's Inari Shrine is one of the most sacred Shinto...
View shrine →
Shiga
Moon's Gorge Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Katsura River valley of Shiga Prefecture, Japa...
View shrine →
Shiga
AndenAnden Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is a Shinto temple dedicated to the goddess of rice, fertility, and...
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.