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
Yamagata
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Yamagata, 皇大神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu,...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanLocated in the heart of Yamagata City, Yome Sato Hachiman Shrine is a sacred Shinto site honoring th...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanSituated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Shiroyama Shrine is a sacred Shinto site that honors t...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanThe Eight-Horned Shrine, located in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Shimoji no kamiLocated in the mountainous region of Yamagata Prefecture, Gifu-san Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Iwaki-no-MikotoIwaki-no-Mikoto, a Shinto deity associated with the Iwaki Mountain range in northern Japan, is belie...
View shrine →
Yamagata
GoshinryuClate-no-machi-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Yamagata City, dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Yamagata
InariLocated in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, Ōgatsu Inari Shrine is dedicated to the worship of...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Tsutsui-no-okamiLocated in the heart of Yamagata, the Tsutsui Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto kami known as Tsutsu...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inari OkamiThe Dewa Sanzan Inari Shrine, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Sh...
View shrine →
Yamagata
SusanooNyonosekiji Shrine, located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Yamagata
New Mountain God新山神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the mountainous region of Yamagata Prefecture, known for its...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Koyamaya OkamiLocated in the scenic mountainous region of Yamagata, ancient and historic Kumogata-jinja Shrine is...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Okami諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Yamagata city, dedicated to the kami of the same...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanLocated in the heart of Yamagata, Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Yamagatajin) is one of Japan's oldest...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Imperial Grand ShintoLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Koya Daigaku is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the i...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanLocated in the Yamagata Prefecture, Kinshochi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of gold...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine (Hachimantai Shrine) is a prominent...
View shrine →
Yamagata
nullLocated in the city of Yamato, Yamaguchi Prefecture, but another Shrine with a similar name exists i...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Village Shrine Mountain Shrine is a serene Shinto templ...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Haku-no-KamiLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, 羽黒山 正善院黄金堂 (Haku Kuro-san Sennin-in Kin-gan-do...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture,八幡神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Yamagata
EnmaLocated in the city of Yamagata, Ōzumo-gashinomaki-black-sei-sya is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Yamagata
AmaterasuThe Dayo Shrine, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and the g...
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.