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
Ryūō Daibai-san Shinshū is a Shinto shrine located in the Yamagata prefecture, known for its scenic...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, the shrine of Yama no Kami is dedicated to the moun...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the prefecture of Yamagata, Okamurōgawa Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the Shi...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanBaginoe Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kurokawa, Yamagata Prefecture. Ded...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the heart of Yamagata, Ōishida Inari Shrine is a sacred Shinto site honoring the patron k...
View shrine →
Yamagata
nullBorn out of the life and works of a Buddhist priest who converted to Shintoism, Shishido Tadatsugu,...
View shrine →
Yamagata
null延命院, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of longevity and goo...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Jiten no kamiLocated in the heart of Yamagata, Shinto Shrine of Jiten no kami is a revered site dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the city of Akita, Gold Pavilion Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of gold a...
View shrine →
鶴岡市, 山形県
Inari Okami愛染稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine located in鶴岡市,山形県. The shrine is dedicated to the kami of love...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, the Hachiman Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Hach...
View shrine →
Yamagata
ŌdaijinThe Ōdaijin-sa, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Ōdaijin, who is re...
View shrine →
Yamagata
AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess, Amaterasu, in Yamagata Prefecture...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Zao-tsuchi-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Mount Zao, the White Mountain Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Yamagata
nullLocated in the Akita Prefectural Park of Yamagata City, Sakahogi Shrine, also known as Rokuso Shrine...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Ai no MakotoLocated in Yamagata Prefecture, Ai no Makoto Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of love and ferti...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Tamako-gamiLocated in the scenic Azuma Plateau of Yamagata Prefecture, Hasesan Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary ded...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Tsukiyomi no KamiTsumago Shrine, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of marriage and fertility....
View shrine →
Yamagata
Soma no OkamiLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Great Shrine of Yoshida is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Yamagata
MazamashinshaAurora Shrine, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of the forest and it...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Mount FujiLocated in the scenic prefecture of Yamagata, Mount Aizu-yama Shinto Shrine is dedicated to the Kami...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Zao-yamago-no-kamiGoshikinuma Jinsha is a Shinto shrine located in the Yamagata prefecture, dedicated to the god of th...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Zao-gamiMoon Mountain Shrine, located in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of...
View shrine →
Tochigi
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Tochigi, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to Su...
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.