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
HoteiEstablished in 718 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the construction of Okunoin Cemetery, Odaw...
View shrine →Shizuoka
ShiroiSmall, serene shrine located in the Izu Peninsula of Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its tranquil atm...
View shrine →Kyoto
TsukuyomiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Dayo-jinja Shrine is dedicated to Tsukuyomi-no-kami, the Shinto god o...
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IshizukaIshizuka-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Ishizuka, located in the heart of Kyot...
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AmaterasuTonodera Taisha, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, is located in the heart of...
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Sakyoda Hachiman-gu, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman...
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TenjinTennan-mae Shrine, located in Kyoto Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the benevolent...
View shrine →Kyoto
Higashi-fukujinLocated in Kyoto's Shimogyo-ku district, Sanjusangendo Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist tem...
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AmaterasuThe Daybreak Shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, and is one of Japan's oldest...
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Rice goddessIfurimya Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the kami of rice and fertility. The...
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nullThe Six-Society Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deities o...
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KurikinageThe Kurokage Shrine in Kyoto is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of darkness and shadow, often...
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DaitoDaito-in, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Daito. Th...
View shrine →Kyoto
AmaterasuDayo-jinsha, a Shinto shrine in Kyoto dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, is one of Japan's olde...
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Ōzozaki KiyomaruNew Kamo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Kamo gods, specifically the twin deities Ōzozaki...
View shrine →Kyoto
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Kumiyoto, in the former kingdom of Yamato, is Mount Kurama's most sacred Shin...
View shrine →Kyoto
InariIshinaegi Shrine, located in Kyoto Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Okami. This sh...
View shrine →Kyoto
SusanooLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines,...
View shrine →Kyoto
KuramaKurama Shrine, located in the Yamasaka district of Kyoto, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →Kyoto
HimegamiIse no Miyayoshi Himegami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kyoto, dedicated to Himeg...
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Kumano OkamiKumano Sanzan, a sacred pilgrimage site in Japan, is the spiritual home of Kumano-gu. This Shinto sh...
View shrine →Kyoto
Toshogu-style shrine dedicated to the deity of a small village in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto, beli...
View shrine →Kyoto
Amaterasu Omikami愛宛神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto, dedicated to the god Amaterasu Omikami, t...
View shrine →Kyoto
Located in the heart of Kyoto, Hakushinsha Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of fertil...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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