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
Tamayama-kamiTadayama Shrine, located in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, is a serene Shinto sanctuary that has b...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the town of Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Deifuku Hachiman-gu is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanDezuka Hachiman-gu is a Shinto shrine located in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated...
View shrine →
Shimane
Shinbe no KamiThe諏訪神社, located in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the Same Riv...
View shrine →
Shimane
null永野八幡神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Yada, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The shrine i...
View shrine →
Shimane
MaresukeIn the heart of Shimane Prefecture lies御倉神社 (O-kura Jinja), a sacred Shinto site dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the beautiful Shimane Prefecture, East Shrine (Tōgansha) is a Shinto temple dedicated to...
View shrine →
竹原市, 広島
Takeru Shrine, located in Taki City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Takemika...
View shrine →
Shimane
OtobaiLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, the Otobai Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
OkuninushiHigh Hamamatsu Shrine, located in the coastal town of Hamamatsu in Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariAsahiyama Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to Ina...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Shinmei-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari OkamiBridgeport Harima Shrine, located in Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Okam...
View shrine →
Shimane
Sakaha Yamato no OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, the Matsue Matsuyama Shrine is dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shimane
Oiwa no OkamiLocated in the picturesque town of Matsue, the Oiwa Shrine is dedicated to the worship of Oiwa no Ok...
View shrine →
Shimane
Mihotogishi, InariLocated in the town of Oki, Shimane Prefecture, Daisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Shimane
Located in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, Plain Village Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ōkami椋木神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Iwami Village, Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to the worship o...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari OkamiEight-hill Shrine, located in the town of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shimane
TakamatsuhikoLocated in the scenic town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Takamatsu Shrine is dedicated to the Shint...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanooLocated in the city of Matsue, Shishimai Shrine is dedicated to the storm god Susanoo, as well as ot...
View shrine →
Shimane
Hakuganji Shrine, located in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated to the god of pros...
View shrine →
Shimane
Shizuka-no-Ōkami佐信神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, and is one of Japan's...
View shrine →
Shimane
KinryuThe Kinryu Shrine, located in the town of Ayucho, Shimane Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest Shint...
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.