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
Kagawa
Located in the Seto Inland Sea, Shitamachi Temple is a historic Shinto shrine in Kita, Kagawa Prefec...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Located in the heart of Kagawa Prefecture, Higashi-matsuyama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Kagawa
粟島伊勢神宮 is a Shinto shrine located in Kagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the deity Ōmikami no Kami...
View shrine →
Kagawa
ŌkuninushiLocated in the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture,玉姫神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Mikurino-kamiMikuri-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Mitaka, Osaka Prefecture, but not to be confu...
View shrine →
Kagawa
HimegamiLocated in the heart of Shikoku, Matsushima Island Shrine is a lesser-known but fascinating Shinto s...
View shrine →
Kagawa
RyōinLocated in the heart of Shikoku, Japan's smallest island, Kumamoto-ryūjin-gū is a historic Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Susa-no-OkamiKatsuragi Shrine, located in the heart of Kagawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Susa-n...
View shrine →
Kagawa
EbisuLocated in the heart of Kagawa Prefecture, Ebisu Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to Ebisu,...
View shrine →
Kagawa
O-ka-mi-no-kamiNagautani Shrine, located in the heart of Kotohira City, Kagawa Prefecture, is a sacred Shinto site...
View shrine →
Kagawa
HachimanLocated in the Seto Inland Sea region of Kagawa Prefecture, Sakahoutsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Inari OkamiNanbu Inari Shrine, located in Kagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiTsukimi no Mikasa Shrine in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Kagawa
The Shikoku-Ōhashi Shrine, dedicated to Ōkuni Ichi, is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Tokus...
View shrine →
Kagawa
nullBerukama Shrine, located in Shitanda village, is dedicated to the kami of agriculture and fertility....
View shrine →
高松市, 香川県
AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine, located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
高松市, 香川県
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the Shikoku region, 桃山御陵礼拝所 (Tamayama Okuninashi Shrine) is a historic Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shimane
Susanoo no OkamiLocated in the town of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, Sanbyo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ogami Okami no KamiLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Ogami Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari Ō no KamiDōno Tsukimaya Hōzan-gū Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Ō no Kami in the city of Matsue...
View shrine →
Shimane
Kan'non多鳩神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine is dedicat...
View shrine →
Shimane
Tsunemon-gamiTsunomen-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Sada, Shimane Prefecture, known for its sce...
View shrine →
Shimane
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the heart of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture,波子八幡宮 (Fukube Hachiman Shrine) is a rev...
View shrine →
Shimane
Located in the mountains of western Japan, mountainous shrines like Mt. Yase are unique to this regi...
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.