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
Kunitokamuchi-no-kamiKumano-san Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is dedicated to the sacred mountain Kumano and its...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Shōjin Ō no Kami静志神社, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of wisdom and enli...
View shrine →
Kyoto
KumanoKumano Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines. Built t...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Hata no Oe-no-KamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, White Mountain Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the deity...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Hachiman OkamiLocated in Kyoto, Eighteen Bridges Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of prosperity and...
View shrine →
Kyoto
SusanooEight-Horsed God Shrine, dedicated to the god of wind, prosperity, and good fortune. Located in Kyot...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Dayatsu Jinja, a Shinto shrine in Kyoto, is dedicated to the deity of good luck and prosperity in ag...
View shrine →
Kyoto
AmaterasuOne-miya Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun godd...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Tonbo-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Inari Okami...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Amaterasu Ōmikami愛宕神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami. The sh...
View shrine →
Kyoto
AmaterasuNew Miyashiro Shrine, located in Kyoto Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess A...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Urasenke no kamiKurama Shrine, located in Kyoto Prefecture, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Kyoto
SusanooLocated in Kyoto, 廣嶺神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of prosperity and good fortune....
View shrine →
Kyoto
EbisuHie Shrine, located in Kyoto, is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Sakigami佐伎治神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the kami of the same name, who is belie...
View shrine →
Kyoto
TsukuyomiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Aoike-jinja Shrine is a serene Shinto oasis that has been serving loc...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Dayo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Inari Okami, rev...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Princess IzunoIzuno Shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to the kami of Izuno, a legendary princess said to have been buri...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Susuwatari no KamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Sugen no Mika no-ta shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Located in Kyoto, the Satsuki Jinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the enshrined deity Satsuki, al...
View shrine →
Kyoto
KinshichoKinshicho Jinsha is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to Kinshicho, the god of good fortun...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiDayehreishūji is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. Dedicated to the Shinto god I...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Located in the heart of Kyoto, Sannō-ji Temple is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Enm...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Sugomaru OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Sugimori-jinja Shrine is a tranquil oasis that honors the god of rice...
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.