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
Shiga
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Nagahama, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Su...
View shrine →
Shiga
ŌkamiLocated on the picturesque Lake Biwa, Tsushima Island Shrine is a revered Shinto site in Shiga Prefe...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tamayotsukuni no Okami勝居神社 is a historic Shinto shrine located in Yashima, Katsuta County, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. De...
View shrine →
Shiga
None specifiedKazefuku Shrine, located in the scenic town of Nagahama in Shiga Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Shiga
Yamato-tsuchi no KamiIvafu-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture. It is one of the oldest shrin...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo no KamiLocated in the city of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, Hieizan Takamatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
轟神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Shinto god of thunder, Raijin, and the god of lightning,...
View shrine →
Shiga
FusamaAllzuha Fusama Shrine, located in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami Allzuha Fusa...
View shrine →
Shiga
Oyashiro-samaThe Sumo Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of sumo wrestling, a traditional Japane...
View shrine →
Shiga
Susanoo-no-MikotoThe Eight-Horned Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the ensh...
View shrine →
Shiga
TenjinAutumn Leaves Shrine, Autumn Leaves Temple located in the mountains of Lake Biwa's Shiga Prefecture,...
View shrine →
Shiga
FujinIzu Okada Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Fujin, god...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuLocated in the picturesque city of Moriyama, Spring Day Shrine is a serene Shinto sanctuary dedicate...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmenomiyatsuhikoTennan-jinja, a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shiga
BentenLocated in the scenic town of Nagahama, Eight-Horsemen Shrine is dedicated to the enshrined deity Be...
View shrine →
Shiga
Benzaiten, InariLocated in the scenic town of Katsuyama, Northern Garden Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shiga
Ninashinoda-okamiNingen-ka no Miya, or the Sea of Courage Shrine, is located in Shiga Prefecture and honors Ninashino...
View shrine →
Shiga
Kyobai-jinja Shrine, located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the god of the spring...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tamatomo, Inari OkamiEihei-ji Temple's adjacent shrine, Odawara-jinja, was originally dedicated to the sun goddess Amater...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the city of Nagahama, Dayutsuji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosper...
View shrine →
Shiga
Nakatogo-no-kamiNakatoji Shrine is a small, rural Shinto shrine located in Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Shiga
SusanooLocated in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is a prominent Shinto site dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shiga
TenjinTodai-ji Temple's eastern counterpart, Ando Shrine is situated near the Omi River in Shiga Prefectur...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture,熊岡神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the k...
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.