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
RyujinLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Shinto god of the sea and storms, Ryujin, is enshrined at this ancien...
View shrine →
Kyoto
AmaterasuEnryakuji Temple's lesser-known neighbor, Enmei-ju, is a small but historic Shinto shrine in the hea...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Enma-o濱見神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto, dedicated to the kami Enma-o, god of the...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Amaterasu OkamiIfurunoyamagusa Shrine, located in Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward, is dedicated to the Shinto kami of fertilit...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Arashiyama Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the god of ri...
View shrine →
Kyoto
TenjinTennondaiman-sha is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto, dedicated to the kami Tenjin and...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Susanoo, Kamado, InariLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Sanju-in Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the three prima...
View shrine →
Kyoto
TenjinLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Tenman-gu Shrine is dedicated to the god Tenjin, a Shinto deity rever...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Amaterasu ŌmikamiLocated in Kyoto, the shrine of Amaterasu Ōmikami is one of Japan's most revered Shinto sites. Dedic...
View shrine →
Kyoto
TsukiyomiSmall bridge shrine, dedicated to a kami associated with bridges and rivers, is located in the heart...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Yakushi, Okuninushi, KashimaKumano-san is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines, located in the Kumano region of Wakayama P...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiMiddle Village Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a serene Shinto sanctuary dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiLocated in Kyoto, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan de...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Inari OkamiThe Inari Shrine in Kyoto is a renowned Shinto site dedicated to the worship of Inari Okami, the Shi...
View shrine →
Kyoto
FūjinLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Eight Saints Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the worship...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Eighteenfold Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the storm g...
View shrine →
Kyoto
BenzaitenLocated in Kyoto, Eight Horses Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fortune and prosper...
View shrine →
加東市, 兵庫県
Sasabō佐保神社 is a Shinto shrine located in 加東市, 兵庫県. It is dedicated to the kami of the same name...
View shrine →
Kyoto
SakailuLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Sakailu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Sakailu Kami,...
View shrine →
Kyoto
御旅場 Shrine in Kyoto is a serene oasis nestled within the historic Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Dedic...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Dan-no-UraDan no Ura Shrine, located in Kyoto, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Dan-no-Ura, who was said to ha...
View shrine →
Kyoto
TakemikazuchiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, White Castle Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of the w...
View shrine →
Kyoto
HachimanLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Tenryu-ji Temple's adjacent Shoren-in Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman...
View shrine →
Kyoto
Tsukiyomi no KamiMoon Reading Shrine is a sacred Shinto site in Kyoto dedicated to the god of poetry, literature, and...
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.