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
Shimane
Ando TaikokuroAndo Taikokuro Shrine, dedicated to Ando Taikokuro, a Shinto deity believed to protect travelers and...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Iwagami Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ryujin and Hachiman大島天満宮, located in the scenic Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of har...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariLocated in the city of Masuda, Shimane Prefecture, Daisanjinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inar...
View shrine →
尾道市, 広島県
EbisuTowards Island Turtle Forest Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Aida-ku, Hiroshima City. The shrin...
View shrine →
Shimane
Soga no Kami佐香神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Yuya, Shimane Prefecture. It is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shimane
Eaisa no OkamiEaisa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shimane
Person-marsh Shinto shrine in Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to the god of fertility and prosperity....
View shrine →
Shimane
Amaterasu厳島神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, located on the island of Honshu,...
View shrine →
Shimane
nullLocated in the town of Iwami, Shimane Prefecture, Ryō-gu-cho no Machi no Shintokuji is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Masuda, Hiroshima Prefecture, but it's actually located in Shimane Prefecture...
View shrine →
Shimane
EbisuLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Ebi-no-Sato Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shimane
Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the scenic town of Odaigahara, Shimane Prefecture, Sakuramachi Tenmangu Shrine is a histo...
View shrine →
Shimane
Izumo TaishasugitamaCity Head Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. As one of...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanooSpring Day Shrine, located in the scenic town of Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanThe Birdhouse Shrine in Shimane Prefecture is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to the deity of fishe...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari, Hachiman, Benten, Susanoo, Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi, Fujin, RaijinEight Major Gods Shrine, located in Iwami City, Shimane Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shimane
Toshigami ŌkuninushiOut雲手斧神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of thunder, Toshigami, and the spirit of the s...
View shrine →
Shimane
IfuriIfurimayama Shrine, dedicated to the kami of rice and grain, is located in Shimane Prefecture. The s...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariDaito-ji Temple, located on the island of Shikoku and in the city of Matsue, is dedicated to Inari O...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanUpper Kusafune Village's Eight-Faced Shrine, Upper Kusafune Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanooLocated in the town of Yusa, Shimane Prefecture, Daigosenji is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
Hachiman多賀山八幡宮 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kurokawa, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine is d...
View shrine →
Shimane
ŌkuninushiGold Palace Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the town of Yasu, Shimane Prefecture. Dedicated to...
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.