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
HachūLocated in Yamagata Prefecture, Hachū black Mountain East Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity of...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inari OkamiLocated in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, Haku-no-Black Mountain Shrine is a serene and peace...
View shrine →
Yamagata
TsunozakayaThe Tsunozakaya Shrine, located in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, is a serene Shinto temple dedic...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Kokuryu-jinKokuryu-jin-sama, the God of Wind, is enshrined at Airai-jinsha Shrine in Yamagata Prefecture. This...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Yamagata, Hiraegi-juku Eight-Facing Temple is a historic Shinto temple dedic...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inari OkamiLocated in the mountainous region of Yamagata Prefecture, Ōshima Shrine is dedicated to the kami (sp...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inari Okami, ShishigamiDedicated to the Shishigami, a kami associated with mountains and storms, and also Inari Okami, patr...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Yamagata, Ankū-ji Inarioka is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the...
View shrine →
Yamagata
TenshiTenshūjinsha, located in the city of Sendai, Yamagata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Yamagata
AmabeguLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Todai-ji Shrine is dedicated to the worship of the kami...
View shrine →
Yamagata
伊屋彦神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Iwaya Hikoboshi, located in Yamagata Prefecture....
View shrine →
Yamagata
Soma no OkuninushiLocated in the town of Aobiki, Yamagata Prefecture, Ascension Seven-Tower Shintokō Shrine is a Shint...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Ame-no-Hokira, Ame-no-Mitaka-no-kamiLove and Fertility Shrine in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, known for its beautiful architect...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Fukutomi no OkamiLocated in the city of Yamagata, Eight Horseshoe Shrine (Yamagata Prefecture) is a Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Yamagata
nullLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Goshinsha Shrine is a serene Shinto sanctuary nestled a...
View shrine →
Yamagata
The thirty-onest Shrine, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is a minor Shinto shrine dedicated to the t...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Ryugu no OkamiNew Yamato Shrine, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto kami of the region's n...
View shrine →
Yamagata
InariLocated in Yamagata Prefecture, Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and fer...
View shrine →
Yamagata
SusanooIzumo Taisha's Yamagata branch, Izumozaka Shrine, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Susanoo no Mikoto...
View shrine →
Yamagata
AmaterasuNanjo-jinja, located in the heart of Yamagata city, is a serene Shinto sanctuary that honors the kam...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the heart of Yamagata, Daibeiwa Shrine is dedicated to the worship of Kagami-no-Miko, a w...
View shrine →
Yamagata
TsukiyomiLocated on a small island in the Agano River, Zao Shinto Shrine is dedicated to the kami of the fore...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inarilocated in the city of Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Fudan Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Yamagatetsukuni no KamiLocated in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, New Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
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.