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
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Hakone, Fujiyoshida, Shizuoka Prefecture, the five shrines of the Hakone Five...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
SennyuKegokunsa Shrine, located in the scenic Fuji Five Lakes region of Yamanashi Prefecture, is dedicated...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
Sengen-taishaLocated in the Japanese Alps, Mount Aze-Sanekidani Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Sengen-tai...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
Enma-haijinEnraku-ja Shrine, located in Yamanashi Prefecture, is dedicated to Enma-haijin, the god of the under...
View shrine →
小田原市, 神奈川県
InariDaito Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice, fertility, and prosperity in the...
View shrine →
小田原市, 神奈川県
BenzaitenLocated in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Full Blossom Temple (Mankansha-ten) is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the heart of Fujikawa Village, Mikagegasa Inari Taisha is a revered Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
小田原市, 神奈川県
HatsuhetsuLocated in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Mt. Kousen-jinsha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiIshihara Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to Inari Okami, the Shinto deity of ri...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Mizu-no-kamiLocated in the city of Gotemba, Water Shrine (Mizugami-jinja) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the wa...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Daijingu Shrine is a significant Shinto site...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
SusanooLocated on Tsu Island in Shizuoka Prefecture, Tsushima Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariYamazu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture. Dedicated to Ina...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in the picturesque town of Hakone, Ifukune-cho, Shizuoka Prefecture, Wakakusa Shrine is a re...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Suruga SanomiyaSuruga Sanomiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedica...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Mt. Ontake's kami may not match below location name but Kami can be a mountain god, possibly Shinto deities associated with natural elements such as water, fire, wind, or earth; null if unknown.下野浅間神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Mt. Ontake, located in the Yamanashi Prefec...
View shrine →
静岡市, 静岡県
HachimanLocated in the heart of Shizuoka City, Small Shibuya Hachiman Shrine is a tranquil oasis dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Kameyama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the mountain, located in Kakegawa City, S...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Niwa no KamiThe Niwa-ga-shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Benzaiten長井崎弁天島神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Ryujin, Urashima Taro, FutsunushiLocated in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Daiya Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most re...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Suzu no Ō Kamisato金刀比郎神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the deity Suzu no Ō Kam...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Okuninushi no OkamiGangetsu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the city of Ise, Shizuoka Prefecture. Dedicat...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tamashima no Kami芭蕉天满宮 is a Shinto shrine located in the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka, dedicated to the kami...
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.