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
HachimanLocated in the Gunma prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the town of Fujimino, Ota-gun, Gunma Prefecture, the Tomi no Yasaka Shrine is a Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Gunma
Ukemoriyamato no OkamiUtsunomiya Shrine, dedicated to Fujin Ryujin and Ukemoriyamato no Okami, is one of the oldest shrine...
View shrine →
Gunma
TsuchigumoLocated in Gunma Prefecture, 熊ノ平神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the forest and m...
View shrine →
Gunma
Water Spirit Shrine, located in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, is dedicated to the worship of kami a...
View shrine →
Gunma
Asanuma OkamiLocated in the town of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Kotakai no Asanuma-zuka is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari Okami, Kumano-Okami, RyujinKumano Shrine, located in Gunma Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and fert...
View shrine →
Gunma
Susanoo no MikotoLove and Fertility Shrine in Gunma Prefecture, Shinto Shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu'...
View shrine →
Gunma
Located in the Gunma Prefecture,菱野稲荷三社 Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the worship of m...
View shrine →
Gunma
The Mokuzan Shrine, dedicated to the Shiba no Kami and Taka no Kami, is a serene Shinto site located...
View shrine →
Gunma
RyujinLocated in the town of Shimo-oka, Gunma Prefecture, Hiyagawa Shrine is a revered Shinto temple dedic...
View shrine →
Gunma
Toshizakushi no kamiLongest Shrine in Japan, dedicated to the god of good health and fertility, Longevity Rice Goddess....
View shrine →
Gunma
InariLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Iseya Inari Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Inari, known as the p...
View shrine →
Gunma
Ryujin, Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the city of Katusawa, Gunma Prefecture, Species Pond Shrine is dedicated to the god of fi...
View shrine →
Gunma
OkamiHikohiso-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Tateyama, Gunma Prefecture. Dedicate...
View shrine →
Gunma
One Tsukiyama Shrine, located in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site that honors...
View shrine →
Gunma
HachimanLocated in the city of Kawagoe, Gunma Prefecture, Hachiman Shrine is a prominent Shinto temple dedic...
View shrine →
Gunma
Susanoolocated in the Gunma prefecture, 後閑町飯玉神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the s...
View shrine →
Gunma
Tanzatsu HachimanLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Eight Steps Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Mount Ta...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariLocated in Gunma Prefecture,稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice goddess Inari Ōkami. A...
View shrine →
Gunma
TenjinLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Kintarō Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of thunder and a...
View shrine →
Gunma
TenjinLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Eight Clouds Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of thunder...
View shrine →
Gunma
AmaterasuThe Inasa Shrine, located in Gunma Prefecture, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
ShinmeiLocated in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, Shinmei-ya Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to th...
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.