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
BenkeiElm Tree Shrine, located in Kyoto, is dedicated to the Shinto god of wisdom and poetry, Benkei. This...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Hime no OkamiHimegoto Shrine is dedicated to Hime no Okami, the Deer Goddess, a minor kami associated with fertil...
View shrine →
Kyoto
InariThe Sakahara Shrine in Kyoto is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice, sake, and agriculture....
View shrine →
Kyoto
Higashi no KamiNanzen-ji Temple, located in Kyoto's southern region, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Fudo MyooLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Fudokutsunahikomiyamisanjo is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Fudo Myoo,...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Okuninushi no KamikamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Hakufu-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of happin...
View shrine →
Kyoto
InariYatsugashi-san Shrine, located in Kyoto's Nishiki-jō district, is a tranquil oasis dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kyoto
HachimanTadaiji Hachimangū is a Shinto shrine located in the Sakyo-ku district of Kyoto, dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Kyoto
FujinBelow Kyoto's serene Sanjo River, the Lower Temple Shrine (Miyanagino-sha) offers a tranquil escape...
View shrine →
西脇市, 兵庫県
大年神社, located in the city of 西脇市, 兵庫県, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to a local deity belie...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera's rival, Naro no Ise no Shaisen, boasts beautiful gardens and a serene atmosphere. The...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Located in the heart of Kyoto, the Ōno-jinja Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the kami o...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Oinari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Eight Saints Shrine (Hachi-Ban-jin-ya) is a revered Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Susanoolocated in Kyoto, 鎮守八幡社 is one of the oldest and most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to Susano...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Tamayama no OkamiAso-jiha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the kami of Aso Valley, which is k...
View shrine →
Kyoto
InariLocated in the heart of Kyoto, 須代神社茗荷神田 Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Inar...
View shrine →
Kyoto
不動明王 shrine, located in Kyoto, is dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Maitreya, a centra...
View shrine →
Kyoto
InariThe Inari Shrine, located in Kyoto, is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines, dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Eighteen Stage Shrine is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Located in the heart of Kyoto, Ninomurajinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the village...
View shrine →
Kyoto
RyujinThe Shrine of the Twelve Month Chestnut is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the kami o...
View shrine →
Kyoto
ŌkuninushiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Ōtani Junshūji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of pros...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Located in the heart of Kyoto, 御劔大明神 Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the Shinto deity, Tak...
View shrine →
Kyoto
The Shrine of Emperor Clear Sky, located in Kyoto Prefecture, is dedicated to the deified spirits of...
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.