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
Okuninushi no ŌkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto's Arashiyama district, North Garden Shrine (北野神社) is one of Japan'...
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TenjinLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Love Temple Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of love and fertili...
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Amenomutsu no Okami愛宛宮 (Love Shrine) is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the worship of Amenomutsu no...
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AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and th...
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Kuramoto-no-oki-tamaKuramo Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is one of the oldest and most revered Shinto shrines i...
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InariInari Okunoina Shrine, located in Kyoto, is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto kami of rice, fertility,...
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Kin no TanabiLocated in Kyoto, the Kin no Tanabi-hara Shrine is dedicated to the kami of the sword, specifically...
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Taka-no-KamiTaka no Kami Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is dedicated to Taka no Kami, a local deity beli...
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Ōro no TsurugiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, the East Loo Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of ferti...
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OtohimeTenda Shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a serene Shinto oasis that honors the kami of heaven...
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Tsumigusa-kamiTsumigusa Shrine, located in Kyoto, is dedicated to Tsumigusa-kami, a kami associated with honey and...
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BenzaitenLocated in Kyoto, Ifukuji Shrine is dedicated to the god of learning and prosperity, Benzaiten. The...
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Katsura Forest Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and fertility, is a serene oasis in Kyoto...
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Sakahama no ŌeLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Anden Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of the deity S...
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located in the heart of Kyoto's imperial city, 御釼神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
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Ōwari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Ōwari-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Ōwari Okami. This...
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OkanegoshiKagurazaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the god of music and poetry, Kag...
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KenzeiKenzei Shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to Kenzei, the kami of crops and harvests. As one of the oldest...
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Jishu no kamiLocated in Kyoto,篷戸神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the old gatepost. The shrine's...
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Inasa OkamiLocated in the Higashiyama-ku district of Kyoto, 神南神社 (Inasa Shrine) is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
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Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic Arashiyama district of Kyoto, 鹿嶋神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari O...
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Fuwa-Nu-KagamiFushangenjiha is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto, dedicated to the kami of prosperity...
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InariSmall Shrine of the Bamboo Grove, located in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, is dedicated to Inari Okami,...
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Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Okayama, Shimane's Mabuchiyama Miseguchi Inari Shrine is dedicated to...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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