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
Tenmangu Shrine
Kumamoto
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and p...
View shrine →
Tenmangu Shrine
Kumamoto
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and p...
View shrine →
Tenmangu Shrine
Yamaguchi
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenmangu shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar an...
View shrine →
Tenmangu Shrine
Gifu
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenmangu shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and pol...
View shrine →
Tenmangu Shrine
—
Sugawara no MichizaneTenmangu shrines are dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified spirit of learning and scholars...
View shrine →
Tenmansha Shrine
Oita
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Oita Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and poet...
View shrine →
Tenmansu Shrine
Kochi
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified spirit of learni...
View shrine →
Uchikoshi Sugawara Shrine
Kumamoto
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and p...
View shrine →
Uchimaki Sugawara Shrine
Kumamoto
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and p...
View shrine →
Ueno Tenmangu Otabisho
Gifu
Sugawara no MichizaneUeno Tenmangu Otabisho is a temporary resting place or subsidiary shrine associated with Ueno Tenman...
View shrine →
Ueno Tenmangu Shrine
Gifu
Sugawara no MichizaneUeno Tenmangu is a Tenjin shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified...
View shrine →
Ukawa Tenmangu Shrine
Kochi
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenmangu shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and po...
View shrine →
Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine
Wakayama
Sugawara no MichizaneA prominent Tenmangu shrine located in the scenic Wakaura Bay area of Wakayama City, dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Yaneiri Tenjin Shrine
Kanagawa
Sugawara no MichizaneA local Tenjin shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar...
View shrine →
Yasudakubo Sugawara Shrine
Kumamoto
Sugawara no MichizaneYasudakubo Sugawara Shrine is a Tenjin shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the deified schola...
View shrine →
Yo Tenmangu Shrine
Nara
Sugawara no MichizaneYo Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified sc...
View shrine →
Yurie Tenjin Shrine
Gifu
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and polit...
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.