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
Shimane
Located in the heart of Shikoku, Katsurahime no Mori Shrine is dedicated to the kami of music and po...
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Shimane
HachimanLocated in the Yamaguchi Plain of western Japan, the middle of which is a vast swamp called Mutsu, M...
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Shimane
HachimanMcIdaira Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Iwami, Shimane Prefecture. The sh...
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Shimane
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Matsue, Dayotsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fertility a...
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Shimane
Located in the town of Hamauzu, Shimane Prefecture, 黄幡神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Kam...
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Shimane
Located in the city of Masuda, Shimane Prefecture, Stone Warehouse Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
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Shimane
Yamato no OkamiLocated in the scenic prefecture of Shimane, Yamato no Okami Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary that honor...
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Shimane
Hikoboshi, a benevolent spirit believed to guide lovers through the afterlifeKagura, a form of Shinto theater and music, is an integral part of Yellow Pine Shrine's (Hōhadshi no...
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Shimane
Utsunomiya-okaUtsunomiya-oka Shrine in Shimane Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of the forest, Utsunomiya-oka....
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Shimane
InariLocated in the scenic town of Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Hu-ji Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedic...
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Shimane
Ōtani HachimanLocated in the beautiful landscape of Shikoku, Ōtani Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Ōtani Hac...
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Shimane
ŌkamiDaigokujinsha, located in the Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the national deity...
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Shimane
Ube no OkamiLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Ube Goda Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedicated...
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Shizuoka
Susanowo-no-kamiLocated in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Eight-Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's most f...
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Shizuoka
RyuzuGodaijingu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of rice a...
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Nagano
Sugawara no MichizaneEarly Industry Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Agematsu, Nagano Prefecture. Dedicat...
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Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Shimada City, Shinagawajinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, th...
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Nagano
Ootokami (Great Kami)Located in the Japanese Alps, Michino-oka Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of good l...
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Shizuoka
nullLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Eight Pillars Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine...
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Shizuoka
nullLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Eight Pillars Shrine is a historic Shinto shr...
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掛川市, 静岡県
HikamagusumyōjinLocated in Katsuragi, a town in Shizuoka Prefecture, Jushidan Hikamagatsumyōjinsha Shrine is one of...
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小田原市, 神奈川県
MikotoThe Kii Shrine, located in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the go...
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Nagano
Ō-peikaLocated in the town of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, the Ōpeikatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
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Shizuoka
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Izunaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's most f...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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