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
Shizuoka
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the town of Katsuyama, Shizuoka Prefecture, Ifukuji Shinto Shrine is one of Japan's most...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the beautiful Shizuoka Prefecture, Oil Mountain Shrine (Usu-yama Hachiman-gū) is a histor...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Kamikaze OkamiLocated in the city of Odawara, in the prefecture of Kanagawa, Kamakura-gu Shimo-Tsuruga Shrine is a...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Toshizuka Gamo no OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Eight-Sacred-Shrines Shrine is a l...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Social Welfare Shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the deity of social welfare...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Susanoo-no-Mikoto須賀神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. Founded in 718 CE...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Shotoku TaishakuGuitei-ji Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Located in the city of Hayato, Kagoshima Prefecture, 徳島御嶽神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanGodai Shrine, located in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Kuromon-gawa Shrine, located in the heart of Kamakura, is one of the oldest shrines on the Japanese...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Hachiman Ōkami須賀神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture. The shrine is dedicat...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
OkuninushiLocated in the city of Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Godai Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the d...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Akibayashi Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, was o...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
AmaterasuLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tenman-ji Shrine is a historic Shinto temple that...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
MikageSixso Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of th...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tsukiyomi大窪神社, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the town's fou...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
御嶽神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Hakone, a scenic town on the shores of Lake Ashi...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanSpring Day Shrine, located in the scenic town of Shirako in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to Hac...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
MiyatsukoLocated in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Eight-Horse Temple Shrine is a significant Shin...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Susanoo-no-MikotoThe Eight-Horned Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god Susanoo-no-M...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Ninji-kami, KishinokamiLocated in the town of Isehara, Sixto Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
SubanjinSubanjinsha, located in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Sub...
View shrine →
Nagano
Imperial House GodLocated in the town of Akaya, Nagano Prefecture, Imperial Grand Shrine is one of Japan's most famous...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture,御殿山稲荷教会 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.