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
Toyama
nullLocated in the town of Kamikawa, Toyama Prefecture, Five-Deity Shrine is a small Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Toyama
Okunitsuge no KamiLocated in the city of Toyama, Shinmeisha is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fertil...
View shrine →
Toyama
Enma諏訪社 is a Shinto shrine located in Toyama Prefecture, dedicated to the kami Enma. The shrine's mai...
View shrine →
Toyama
Ō-no-miyaSouthen Shrine, located in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Toyama
HikoboshiLocated in the foothills of the Japanese Alps, Gūkan-jinsha Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the foothills of Mount Noto, Wood Tree Shrine is a serene Shinto site dedicated to the en...
View shrine →
Toyama
愛宛社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Toyama City, dedicated to the deity Ō-no-Mitsumune...
View shrine →
Toyama
RenkoRenko-ji Temple, located in the city of Nomi, Toyama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Toyama
Sakatani OkamiLocated in the heart of Japan, Godai Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the revered kami, S...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanAkibayashi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Kurobe River valley in Toyama Prefecture, Japan....
View shrine →
Toyama
nullNoboribetsu Onsen, a famous hot spring resort town in Hokkaido, is said to be the sacred site of the...
View shrine →
Toyama
Fukunari-no-kami, Hachiman, Tsuki-yomi, Amaterasu-ōmikami, Suisan-kōjinHigh-Altitude Shrine Dedicated to the Kami of Prosperity and Protection, Built in Honor of Emperor N...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the heart of Toyama Prefecture, Mizuno-yoshi no-kami Hachiman-jinsha is a historic Shinto...
View shrine →
Toyama
MatsushimaMatsushita Shrine, located in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, is dedicated to Matsushima, a kami...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the city of Toyama,東町白山神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Hachiman Ōkami....
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, West Rock Hasegawa Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto...
View shrine →
Toyama
SusanooLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Higashi Chaya District, Village God Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Toyama
Inari Okami, Ryujin平伝寺神明宮 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Toyama Prefecture. The shrine was o...
View shrine →
Toyama
Haku-san白峰社 is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of Mo...
View shrine →
Toyama
nullLocated in the picturesque town of Nagaokomachi, Toyama Prefecture, Kuma Gane Jinja is a historic Sh...
View shrine →
Toyama
Katsuragi-no-okamiHighly respected in the region of Echizen, Kōreisha is believed to reside in a serene forested area...
View shrine →
Toyama
Located in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, Kawakura Fudou-no-Taki is a serene Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Toyama
Susanoo, Raijin大岩山金毘羅宮, located in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the s...
View shrine →
Toyama
HoteiLocated in the town of Nagaokuro, Toyama Prefecture, Spring Day Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
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.