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
Tokyo
Tokugawa Tsukiyomi-no-mikotoLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Tenbōkōgū Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirit o...
View shrine →
Tokyo
TsurakamiEight Cedar Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the heart of Setagaya, Tokyo. The shrine's...
View shrine →
Tokyo
KinryuLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Kinryu-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of commerce...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Koorufu Ineha Jinja is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice...
View shrine →
Chiba
nullJogan Island Cypress Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the eastern part of Chiba Prefecture, Japa...
View shrine →
Tokyo
InariFushimi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Fuchu, Akihabara, and Mitake districts of Tokyo,...
View shrine →
国立市, 東京都
青柳2号墳跡神社, located in the heart of National Park City, is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
中央区, 東京都
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Daybreak Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the god...
View shrine →
Tokyo
InariLocated in the heart of Setagaya, Tokyo, Tsukinoya Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Chiba
Benzaiten清滝弁財天 is a Shinto shrine located in Chiba Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of wealth and prosp...
View shrine →
Chiba
InariHigh Mountain Inari Shrine, located in the scenic town of Zama in Chiba Prefecture, is a sacred Shin...
View shrine →
Chiba
Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic coastal town of Shirahama, Chiba Prefecture, the Shirahama Inari Taisha is a r...
View shrine →
Tokyo
ShinmeiThe Shinmei-ya Shrine in Tokyo is dedicated to the kami of learning, literature, and fertility. As a...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HachimanSix-所神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to the protection and prosper...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Eight坂神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to the worship of Takemikazu...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
Okuninushi Ōno-mikotoLocated in the heart of Yamanashi Prefecture, 稲村神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Okuninushi Ōn...
View shrine →
Tokyo
浅川金刀比羅宮, located in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Sus...
View shrine →
墨田区, 東京都
TsukuyomiTsukui Inari Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo's Koto ward, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HachimanLocated in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, Eight Samurai Shrine (Hachimantai) is one of the oldest and most fa...
View shrine →
Chiba
MatsudairaŌ no KamiToday, visitors can still see the original shrine that was constructed in 1631 by the Matsudaira fam...
View shrine →
Chiba
nullThe Shitennō-ji Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in Osaka, not in Chiba. It's possible you're thin...
View shrine →
Chiba
HachimanLocated in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, Godai Shinto Shrine is a revered site dedicated to the wor...
View shrine →
Chiba
Located in the Chiba Prefecture, Suzu no Katanagashi Jinja is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Chiba
Located in the town of Katsuragi, Water God Shrine (Mizumino-jinja) in Chiba Prefecture is dedicated...
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.