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
RyogokuLocated in the beautiful Lake Biwa region, Ryogaoka Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →Shiga
YatagarasuThe Eight-Horned Shrine, located in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →Shiga
Hachiman OkamiIfukuji Shrine, located in the city of Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and...
View shrine →Shiga
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Tenno-ji Temple is one of Japan's oldest and most reve...
View shrine →Shiga
RyujinLocated in the picturesque town of Hikone, Shigarai Taishōjin Shrine, also known as Tenman-ji, is on...
View shrine →Shiga
AmaterasuDayetsu-jinja, located in the scenic town of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →Shiga
Tamayotsukunomitono MikotoLocated in the prefecture of Shiga, ancient Ōmi Province, ancient Ōmishimo region of ancient Japan i...
View shrine →Niigata
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Niigata, 御清水稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Inari Okami,...
View shrine →Niigata
Gedo no OkamiLocated in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture, Haka Black Mountain Shrine is a sacred site dedicate...
View shrine →Niigata
Gokayama's 諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Japan's ancient village, known for it...
View shrine →Niigata
Inari Okami, KushinomaruLocated in the heart of Niigata Prefecture, the Shrine's complex features a unique blend of architec...
View shrine →Niigata
Located in the city of Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Karamatsu Jinja Shrine is dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →Niigata
Shimo no OkamiTakahashi Shrine, located in the town of Higashi-Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine tha...
View shrine →Niigata
Amaterasu OkamiLocated in the picturesque town of Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, Ifukaichiba Shrine is dedicated...
View shrine →Niigata
Ando-no-OkamiAndo Sanjakimahensha is a Shinto shrine in Niigata Prefecture, located on the northern tip of Honshu...
View shrine →Niigata
Located in the town of Aikawa, Niigata Prefecture, Shinmyo-kuma-no-jinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →Niigata
BenzaitenEarly Todō Onsen Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, known...
View shrine →Niigata
O-no-Tōshiyama-tsumi-gamiLocated in Niigata, the Great Shrine of Ōno-tōshiyama is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines,...
View shrine →Niigata
RyūjinLocated in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture, Ōyama Prasmita no Matsu-tsumi Jinja is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →Niigata
HachimanKumano Sanzan's revered Kumano Okappi shrine, located in Niigata Prefecture, is deeply rooted in the...
View shrine →Niigata
Kanemori Hara OkamiKanemori Hara Shrine, located in Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Kanemori Hara O...
View shrine →Niigata
FujinLocated in the heart of Echigo, Niigata Prefecture, North Temple Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedi...
View shrine →Niigata
KoamayoKoumaya Shrine, located in the heart of Niigata city, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the wors...
View shrine →Niigata
Kaito San no OkamiKamakura-era shrine located in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture, dedicated to Kaito San no Okami,...
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.