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
Taikomori-OkamiThe Eight-Horsemans Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the enshrined kami of t...
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Sugawara-no-MichizaneSuban-tennmangu Shrine in Kyoto, dedicated to the god of learning and literature, is one of Japan's...
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TennoLocated in Kyoto, Shinuya-so-tenno-in-shinsha is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated to the heave...
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Susanoo-no-MikotoThe Kamo Shrine, located in Kyoto, is one of the most revered Shinto shrines in Japan. As a signific...
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Located in the heart of Kyoto, Sōgū-ji is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the forest and fe...
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Susanoo諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kyoto, dedicated to the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto and...
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Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, located in Karuizawa town in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan, is dedicate...
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Fushichihohko-sanThis Shinto shrine, dedicated to the kami Fushichihohko-san, is nestled in a tranquil setting amidst...
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RyujinNew House Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto dedicated to the god of fertility and prosperity, Ryuji...
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MikasaLocated on the scenic island of Shikoku in western Japan, Mikasa Bird Shrine is a serene Shinto sanc...
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Sugawara no MichizaneTennmangu Shrine, located in Kyoto's Nishikijo district, is a renowned Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
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Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, the Shrine of Takamatsu Inari Taishikan is a revered Shinto site dedi...
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Mukonoki no KamiMukonoki Taishaso, a Shinto shrine in Kyoto, is dedicated to the god of wisdom and prosperity, Mukon...
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Tsurugi-yama no OkamiThe 鴨神社, located in Kyoto Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the enshrined kami...
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InariAnakawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, located in the heart of Kyoto. The shrin...
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Kujaku-no-kamiKujikami Shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to the Kujaku-no-kami, a benevolent spirit from Buddhist mytho...
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Fudo MyooLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Eighty-eight Staircases Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to Fudo M...
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Dōbutsuenji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto. Dedicated to the kami Dōbutsu no Ka...
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Yata no KaruLocated in Kyoto, Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Hachi-ju-no-ma) is an ancient Shinto shrine dedicated...
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Water and Heaven Temple, a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto Prefecture, is dedicated to t...
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Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Waterfall Temple Hall Shrine is a serene oasis dedicated to the Shint...
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TsukuyomiWhite Mountain Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of Mt....
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Located in the Kiyomizu-dera complex, Sōbō-no-jinjja Shinto shrine is dedicated to the deity of a sm...
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RyujinNanazono Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the water deity Ryujin, located in the heart of Kyot...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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