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
Michi-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Aomori City, Daisetsuzen-tenmangu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Sug...
View shrine →
Aomori
InariHaruzawa Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Haruzawa, Aomori Prefecture. Dedicat...
View shrine →
Aomori
HachimanZenmon Taikoku Gakuen Jinmei Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Aomori
Inari, Fujin, Ukaegi-OkamiLocated in the heart of Aomori City, 大館八幡神社 (Ganba八幡神社) is a Shinto shrine that showcases...
View shrine →
Aomori
San-yi-tsumaiLocated in the heart of Aomori City, San'yitsumai-ya Shrine is dedicated to the kami of prosperity a...
View shrine →
Aomori
Highkura Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the fores...
View shrine →
Aomori
Takehisa YamashiroLocated in the northernmost part of Honshu, Aomori Prefecture's Eight Horseshoe Shrine is dedicated...
View shrine →
Aomori
Located in the heart of Aomori Prefecture, Mutsu no Ma Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Aomori
InariLocated in Aomori Prefecture, Shinhando Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Inari Okami...
View shrine →
Aomori
Located in the Aomori Prefecture, Tangamatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice,...
View shrine →
Aomori
InariInari Okappi Shrine in Aomori is one of the most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to Inari, the god o...
View shrine →
Aomori
nullLocated in the northernmost part of Honshu, the Tsugaru-no-Mikado Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Aomori
Sosai no KamiLocated in Aomori Prefecture, Shinmei-ji is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agriculture and...
View shrine →
Aomori
Fujin RyujinLocated in the heart of Aomori City, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Fujin Ry...
View shrine →
Aomori
Located in the heart of Aomori Prefecture, Taipei Mountain Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →
Aomori
TsukuyomiTruezakura Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Tsugaru District of Aomori Prefecture, northern...
View shrine →
Aomori
Tsukiyomi no KamiLocated in the heart of Aomori Prefecture,椿銀山山神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the k...
View shrine →
Aomori
Located in the scenic town of Towada, Water God Shrine is dedicated to the kami of water and prosper...
View shrine →
Aomori
Fudo Myo-o不動社 (Fudoin) is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan. As one o...
View shrine →
Aomori
KaitoLocated in the city of Aomori, 釣潟神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Kaito, a kami associated wit...
View shrine →
Aomori
Hachiman-guLocated in the heart of Aomori, Ōma Jōzan Hachimangū Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman-gu, the Shinto...
View shrine →
Aomori
AmaterasuLocated in Aomori Prefecture, the Tsugaru Shrine complex includes the Osumi Shrine and the Hirosaki...
View shrine →
Aomori
Godai TsukuyomiLocated in the city of Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Mt. Godai Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Aomori
Highsho Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fertility...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
Yokai, oni, kitsune and spirits from folklore
Directory of Japanese board games and traditional games
Verified itch.io pixel-art gacha — fair odds, no ads
Reference guides for classic Japanese ham radios
Ancient joinery techniques of Japanese master craftsmen
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.