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
Aomori
DōzōThe Dōzō-gami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture, dedicated to the kami Dōzō-gam...
View shrine →
Aomori
White-HairTadayama-yama-White-Hair-Shinmei Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Aomori
Located in Aomori Prefecture, Sanjigijinsha is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the...
View shrine →
Aomori
Located in Aomori Prefecture, the 日気缿全囒 (Tobishin Shrine) is dedicated to the Shinto deity Iwat...
View shrine →
Aomori
Kochi no kamiKoboto Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of rice and p...
View shrine →
Aomori
HachimanLocated in the Aomori Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Aomori
Inari OkamiIndulahara Shrine, dedicated to Inari Okami, is located in Aomori Prefecture and is one of the most...
View shrine →
Aomori
BenzaitenLocated in Aomori Prefecture, the Chosen Bridge Shrine is dedicated to the god of wisdom and longevi...
View shrine →
Aomori
Aiē Tanaka Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of love and...
View shrine →
Aomori
InariMikawachi Shrine, dedicated to Inari Okami, is a historic Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture...
View shrine →
Aomori
HachimanChiyose Hachiman Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan,...
View shrine →
Aomori
HakurenHakodaten White Mountain Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Aomori
Twelve kami十二所神明社 is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture, dedicated to the twelve kami of good f...
View shrine →
Aomori
Susanoo no kamiLocated in the Aomori Prefecture, Shiranamiyabu Taisha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun godde...
View shrine →
Aomori
New Chitose Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of agricu...
View shrine →
Aomori
RyūgūLocated in Aomori Prefecture, Ryūkurē-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Ryūgū, a sea serpe...
View shrine →
Aomori
HokenThe薬师堂 Shrine in Aomori Prefecture is dedicated to the god of medicine,藥師神, and is said to hav...
View shrine →
Aomori
HachimanLocated in the heart of Aomori Prefecture, Eight-horned Shrine (Hachimantai-mura no Hachimangu) is o...
View shrine →
Aomori
AmaterasuAiwa-san Shinkan, or Aiwa Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture. Dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Aomori
Located in the heart of Aomori, Mount Godai Shrine honors the mountain spirit kami associated with M...
View shrine →
Aomori
Inari OkappiLocated in Aomori Prefecture, the Inari Okappi Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and fer...
View shrine →
Aomori
KinryuLocated in Aomori Prefecture, Kinsei-in Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of fire, Ki...
View shrine →
Aomori
HachimanLocated in the city of Aomori, Aomori no Mori Hachiman-gu, or Aomori Eight-Horizon Shrine, is one of...
View shrine →
Aomori
HakutoHakuto Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fire and iro...
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.