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
Gunma
Futsunami OkamiThe Daigiri Futsunami Shrine in Gunma Prefecture is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Futsunami...
View shrine →
Gunma
Shimo-no-KamiThe Shimo name Shrine, located in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, is a serene and picturesque Shinto...
View shrine →
Gunma
Kusunoki三橋神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture. The shrine is dedica...
View shrine →
Gunma
愛宕神社, located in Gunma Prefecture, is one of the oldest and most revered Shinto shrines dedicate...
View shrine →
伊奈町, 埼玉県
Inari OmikamiIndra Shrine, located in Iina Town, Saitama Prefecture, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan...
View shrine →
Gunma
Tamayama no OkamiIse-sakai Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. The shrine's...
View shrine →
Gunma
ShinmeiLocated in the town of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Upper Shinmei not moving venerable one is a histo...
View shrine →
Gunma
FukutamiLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Eight Halls Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of prosperi...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in the Gunma Prefecture, the Shrine of Jingu no Okami is a Shinto temple dedicated to the de...
View shrine →
Gunma
nullTengū-ji Temple, located in Gunma Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Tengū,...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Kitaikawa, Gunma Prefecture, Hino-no-oki Shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami,...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the town of Kita, Gunma Prefecture, 菱野健功神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariLocated in the city of Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, the 2-ban (second) shrine of the famous Nakasato E...
View shrine →
Gunma
nullLocated in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, Yama no Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the moun...
View shrine →
Gunma
Yama no OkamiLocated in the town of Yama, Gunma Prefecture, Mount Shrine Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Gunma
RyujinLocated in the city of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Daibutsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Gunma
nullLocated in Gunma Prefecture, New Sea Three Society Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami o...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the city of Agematsu, Gunma Prefecture, Seiwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Seiw...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariLocated in the town of Tokushin, Gunma Prefecture, Tonosawa Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god In...
View shrine →
Gunma
Enmei Hoshiko長倉神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the picturesque town of Shirako in Gunma Prefecture, known fo...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the town of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Kinpurojinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Gunma
River Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of rivers and waterways, is located in the city...
View shrine →
Gunma
Izumo TsukuyomiLocated in the town of Tateyama, Mountain Shrine is one of Japan's most scenic Shinto shrines, situa...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, 猿田彦神社参道 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to I...
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.