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
Kanagawa
Ōkami-KurafudeLocated in the city of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kurokamisan-sha is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, the Dozoshin Shrine is dedicated to the spirit of a samurai lord who...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Hachiman TenjinMyoji Shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto god of war and fertility, Hachiman Te...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
ShinwaThe Ichinohasudani Shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Saginuma no OkamiLocated in the city of Odawara, Saginuma no Okami Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Saginuma no...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
AmaterasuHanasaki Tenman-gu is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. The shrin...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
RyujinLocated in the scenic Yokosuka Harbor area of Kanagawa Prefecture, Spring Day Dragon King Shrine is...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Hikoboshilocated in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Churyu Ryugū-jisha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the wate...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari Okami, AmaterasuThe Spring Miyako Shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto goddess of fertility, Ina...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
TenjinLocated in the heart of Kamakura, Eighteen Stage Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
KinshoLocated in the Kanagawa Prefecture, Kinshōji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of wealt...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
RaijūThe Five Spirits Shrine in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the protec...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Located in the city of Odawara, Shimojiya Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami o...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
AmaterasuIse Grand Shrine's eastern branch in Japan, Shimo-ya Ise Hoshinomiya is a renowned Shinto shrine loc...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
ŌkuninushiLocated in the city of Kamakura, Japan, Mount Yōgen-jin-shū is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
BenzaitenLocated in the city of Yokohama, Abenobazui Hieizan Tennoin, also known as Bentei Ten or Benzaiten,...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Makoto no OkamiLocated in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Shoden-ji Harae Okumaya-miya Fusen no Makoto Jinja is a te...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, the Five-Storey Shrine is a revered Sh...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Odawara, Akibayashi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Long Pond Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
OzunoIn the heart of Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, lies the ancient Shrine of Kazetetsu-no-Kami, also kn...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariKanayama Shrine, also known as Yajuka Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefe...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Shinmon no kamiThe o-caru no misasagi is a small Shinto shrine located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Yamatsumi no OkamiGold Pavilion Shrine, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines dedic...
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.