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
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, 鍛冶平稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to In...
View shrine →
Gunma
Tamikabushi-no-kamiLocated in the mountainous region of Gunma Prefecture, 中島神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tami...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the picturesque town of Karuizawa, Castle Peak Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Gunma
Kaminaga-kamiLocated in the Gunma prefecture, Fuchu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Kaminag...
View shrine →
Gunma
Fūryū ManjiLocated in the city of Ōtawara, Gunma Prefecture, Fūryū Manjinsa is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Fūr...
View shrine →
Gunma
ImamachiImamachi Shrine, located in Gunma Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same n...
View shrine →
Gunma
Raijū/TenjinReigendanjinsha, or Rei-ten-jin-sha, is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefe...
View shrine →
Gunma
Sakahama-no-OkamiLocated in the town of Yambaru, Gunma Prefecture, Eight坂神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Gunma
Fushimi Inari Shrine, located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Ja...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the Gunma prefecture, 鬀鎮神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the protection of villages...
View shrine →
Gunma
Tametama諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Gunma Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of the same name. The...
View shrine →
Gunma
TamashiiGold Sword Shrine, located in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, is dedicated to Tamashii, the Shint...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, 猪狩神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Gunma
nullLocated in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, Fuku Shūjinsha Shrine is a serene oasis nestled amidst lus...
View shrine →
Gunma
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the Gunma prefecture, Tsukiyosegami Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fer...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the town of Kusudoi, Gunma Prefecture, Shirakami-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Gunma
Tsukuyomi-no-Kami, the Shinto god of the moon, music, and poetry.Tsuzuki-miya Shrine, located in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the k...
View shrine →
Gunma
Ota no KamiLocated in the town of Ōinaka in Gunma Prefecture, the Ōinaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
Tenju-isan Shrine, located in the Ogasawara Islands or on the Japanese mainland depending on the sou...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the city of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Hie Shrine is one of Japan's most famous and hist...
View shrine →
Gunma
KusunokamiLocated in the town of Tateyama, Gunma Prefecture, Karōmatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the city of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Benkei-in is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the le...
View shrine →
Gunma
HachimanLocated in the town of Annaka, Gunma Prefecture, Shuuji-tsuji Hachiman-gu is a revered Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Yaita, Gunma Prefecture, Dōtaku-sha Inari Shrine is a historic Shinto temple...
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.