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
HachimanLocated in the city of Izuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shiwa Hachiman Shrine is a prominent Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
YutaLocated in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yuta no Kami Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in the heart of the Japanese Alps, Tenno-oki-dori Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
nullLocated in the town of Kuwana, Shizuoka Prefecture, Ago-tsuchi-no-kami Shrine is dedicated to the ka...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Sixo no OkamiLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Sixo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Amaterasu, SusanooLocated in the city of Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, is the famous Kanda Myojin Shrine. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiTomoe Shrine, located in the city of Tomoe in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shi...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Emperor SannoEmperor Sanno's shrine, located in the Hamamatsu city of Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to Empero...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in the city of Okazaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, East Shine Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto s...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Iwata Shrine is a renowned Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari Ō-no-mikotoWest Japan's most famous Sengoku-period Inari shrine, dedicated to the god of rice and prosperity, w...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
SusanooNara no Okami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Dedicated to the sun...
View shrine →
小田原市, 神奈川県
Yamato no OkamiLocated in the historic city of Odawara, Yamato no Okami Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to Yama...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
The Mountain Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of Mount Fuji's lower slopes, is located...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Mizu no Mikasa Shrine is dedicated to the water god, Mizu no Mikasa,...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a renowned Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tsu-no-miya Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Okitsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Ded...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Aizen Ō no MikotoLocated in the city of Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Richi Roku Shisen is a historic Shinto shrine d...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
RyujinTsuruga Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Tsuruga in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Ena, Shizuoka Prefecture, 柳沢稲荷神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari ŌkamiTenshu Shrine, located in the city of Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the god of thund...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
Yamato no OkamiLocated in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture, the Kamikatsura Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariNorth Torio Inari Shrine, located in the heart of Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the city of Hamamatsu, Suruga Bay Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the...
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.