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
DayoDayo Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Dayo, a kami associated...
View shrine →
Kyoto
GukichiThe public-minded Kami of wisdom, intelligence and knowledge, Gukichi-shinsha is revered at this anc...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates forming a tunnel up the moun...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiLocated in Kyoto, Shirakawa-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and prosperity, In...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Amaterasu上市八幡神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, dedicated to the worsh...
View shrine →
Kyoto
AmaterasuUkeno-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shrine...
View shrine →
Kyoto
EbisuEbisu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district. Dedica...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Myō-O no OkamiMyo-San-ee Miyaji, a Shinto shrine in Kyoto, is dedicated to Myō-O no Okami, a deity revered for his...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Amaterasu Omikami愛宕神社, dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the Shinto sun goddess and celestial deity of Japan, is a...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Bigguru no kamikazeBigguru Shrine, a small Shinto temple in Kyoto dedicated to the god of the house and children, is ne...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Yamato no OkamiCity Katsuragi Shrine is dedicated to Yamato no Okami, a Shinto deity from the Yamato period. The sh...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Amaterasu ŌmikamiThe Imperial Shrine, located in Kyoto, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiKawafuchi Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto's western district, is dedicated to the Shinto deity...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiFushimi Inari Shrine, located in the Fushimi-ku district of Kyoto, is famous for its thousands of ve...
View shrine →
Kyoto
EbisuValley of the Pig Shrine, located in Kyoto Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Ebi...
View shrine →
Gifu
Located in the town of Motosu, Gifu Prefecture,諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Gifu
TsukuyomiTsushima Shrine, located in the heart of Gifu Prefecture, is dedicated to the worship of Tsukuyomi-n...
View shrine →
Gifu
Otohime, Okuninushi, Hayato no OkamiKumano Sanzan, a sacred pilgrimage site in Japan, is home to the famous Kumano Sanzan Shrine, locate...
View shrine →
Gifu
Amaterasu ŌmikamiTsushima Shrine, located in the city of Gifu, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Tsushima I...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Big Izumi-OkamiBig Izumi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Izunaki, Shizuoka Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
MirokuThe Unmoving Buddha (Fushimi Inari's sister shrine), located in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefectur...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Kunitsubae Hachiman, Inari Okami, Yamatsumi no KamiVisesetsu Tenman-gu is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
GodaiLocated in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, Godaikō Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Kunitsuno-kamiLocated in the city of Nissaka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Valley Town Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shr...
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.