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
Kyoto
Sugawara-no-mikotoLocated in the Ukyo Ward of Kyoto, the Igaya Daimingu Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the dei...
View shrine →Kyoto
Amaterasu住吉神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. The shrine is dedicated to the sun...
View shrine →Kyoto
InariLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Spring Leaf Shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and...
View shrine →Kyoto
InariThe Inari Shrine, located in Kyoto, is one of Japan's most famous and revered Shinto shrines. Dedica...
View shrine →Kyoto
Gunma no OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, the Gokurakuji Taisha Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the wors...
View shrine →Kyoto
Uwaten-shinsha Hongu-ji is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the worship of the kami Uw...
View shrine →Kyoto
Kami no OkamiLocated in Kyoto, Arai Shrine is a Shinto shrine that has been serving the local community for centu...
View shrine →Kyoto
Yamato no Okami綾部天満宮 is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the deities of good fortune, prosperity...
View shrine →Kyoto
TenmanLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Sanrida Tenman-gū is one of Japan's most renowned Shinto shrines. Ded...
View shrine →Kyoto
Okuninushi Ōno-mikotoLocated in the heart of Kyoto,諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Okuninushi Ōno-mikoto, one of...
View shrine →Kyoto
AmaterasuOne-miya Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shr...
View shrine →Kyoto
Ame no YakamochiAve Tanba Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto, dedicated to the deity Ame no Yak...
View shrine →Kyoto
IndlūryūjinIndlūryūjinsha, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice grain goddess, located in Kyoto. The shrine is...
View shrine →Kyoto
Nagara-tsuchi-no-kami紀部神宮 is a Shinto shrine located in the capital city of Kyoto, Japan. Dedicated to the kami of th...
View shrine →Kyoto
Susuwatari, Fujin, Kannon厄除神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the kami of protection and purification....
View shrine →Kyoto
BenzaitenLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Ostōmei-hall is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the goddess of...
View shrine →Kyoto
ŌryūjinThe Ōryūjin-gashima Shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to the Shinto god of wealth and prosperity, Ōryūjin...
View shrine →Kyoto
Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Tenjin Shrine is one of Japan's most iconic and historic Shinto shrin...
View shrine →Kyoto
Taka no OeTakeda Shrine, located in the Arashiyama district of western Kyoto, is a historic Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →Kyoto
Amaterasu Ōmikami愛宕神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the deity Amaterasu Ōmikami, the goddess...
View shrine →Kyoto
TsukuyomiTsukiyomi Shrine, also known as Gamo-gu Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto's Sakyo ward. De...
View shrine →Kyoto
RyujinLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Water Sky Palace Shrine is a serene oasis that honors the Shinto god...
View shrine →Kyoto
HachimanEight Horses Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines. De...
View shrine →Kyoto
Inari OkamiLocated on the scenic Dotonbori River, Shi-ko-zaki Inari Shrine is a popular Shinto destination in K...
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.