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
Hokkaido
AmaterasuOut Crowd Shrine, located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, is dedicated to the kami of the sea and f...
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RyujinRyushikaku Shrine, located in the scenic Rishiri Island of Hokkaido, is a sacred Shinto site dedicat...
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InariLocated in the scenic town of Biei, Hokkaido, Shukuboji Shrine is dedicated to the worship of Inari...
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Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Niseko's Middle Battle Power Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedic...
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null美川神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic town of Otaru, Hokkaido. The shrine's name, '美川'...
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Located in the heart of Aomori City, Ōsō-jinsha is one of Japan's northernmost Shinto shrines, dedic...
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InariKawanami Shrine, located in the heart of Hokkaido, is a sacred site that has been revered by locals...
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Located in the heart of central Hokkaido, Nakamerobetsu Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedic...
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nullLocated at the foot of Mount Fuji, a sacred mountain in Japan not located in Hokkaido, this Shinto s...
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DanjinLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Utsunomiya Danjinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of f...
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InariLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Kawa-White Rice God Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
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Ebisu, Bishamonten, BenzaitenEbisu Sanja Temple in Sapporo, Hokkaido is one of Japan's oldest temples, with a history dating back...
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Inari OkamiLocated in the picturesque town of Shiraoi, Hokkaido, Poya Inari Shrine is one of the most revered S...
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HeitakatsuhikoShinshu Sanzan's northernmost shrine, Heitakatsu Shrine in Sapporo City is dedicated to Heitakatsuhi...
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nulllocated in the Otaru city of Hokkaido, Kishibetsu Jushinsha is a Shinto shrine that honors the god o...
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Ama no KagamiKoyanai Shrine, located in the heart of Hokkaido's scenic Lake Toya region, is a serene Shinto sanct...
View shrine →苫小牧市, 北海道
nullLocated in Sapporo, northern Japan, Tsukagani Okanotsu Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the de...
View shrine →Aomori
InariLocated in the northern prefecture of Aomori,稲荷さん Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to t...
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Fudo MyōōNotōmyōō Shrine in Aomori Prefecture is dedicated to Fudo Myōō, a powerful Shinto deity associated w...
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RisakaLocated in the heart of Aomori City, 小瀧神社 is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the...
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Daimyoo小川滝大明神 shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Daimyoo, a kami...
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IwanagiTowada Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Iwanagi, a god of fish...
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Iwaki no OkamiLocated in Aomori Prefecture,脇元岩木山神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Mount Iwaki,...
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Mikazuki YamatoNestled in the heart of Aomori's rural landscape, 熊野宮 is a Shinto shrine deeply rooted in regiona...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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