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
NarigumoLocated in the picturesque town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture's Omishima Island is home to the famou...
View shrine →
Shimane
Mochizuki-no-KamiLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Mochizuki-no-Okami Shrine is dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Shimane
Plow Field GodThe Shrine of the Plow Field God is a Shinto shrine located in Iwami Province, Shimane Prefecture, d...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ogami no TsukiyomiNew Daito Shrine in Shimane Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto kami of New Year's first day, a de...
View shrine →
Shimane
Tamayama no OkamiThe Mimasaka Shrine, located in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to the w...
View shrine →
Shimane
Tsukuyomilocated on the island of Honshu, in the Seto Inland Sea region of Japan, Hu-shinsha is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shimane
KageboshiLocated in the scenic Kageoka region of Shimane Prefecture, Castle Mountain Shrine is a serene and p...
View shrine →
Shimane
OkuninushiLocated in the scenic town of Matsue, Poppo Plain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Shimane
AudomaroAudomaro Shrine, located in the Shimane prefecture, is dedicated to Audomaro, a Shinto deity believe...
View shrine →
Shimane
Urashima TaroLocated in the town of Hamata, Shimane Prefecture, Haruga Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the town of Kasaoka, Shimane Prefecture, Hieizan Hachiman-gu is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shimane
nullLocated in the town of Yabuki in Shimane Prefecture, Shindenchu Shrine is dedicated to the kami of f...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari OkamiThree Big Miracles of the Great Shining God Shrine, located in the scenic town of Matsue, Shimane Pr...
View shrine →
Shimane
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Masuda, Pray and Prosper Mountain Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto...
View shrine →
Shimane
TsukuyomiLocated in the Shimane Prefecture,椎森大歳神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Ts...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ryū (Dragon)Located in the scenic Oki Islands, Ryū no Iwa-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto kami Ryū no Iw...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanooSan'emonji Shrine, located in the Seto Inland Sea coast of Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated to the s...
View shrine →
Shimane
Susano-oEpigraphed at the foot of Mount Mutsu, the shrine is dedicated to a Shinto deity believed to protect...
View shrine →
Shimane
GushiinshaLocated in the town of Minami-osa, Shishimaya-cho, Shimane Prefecture, Okanoshima Gushiinsha is a hi...
View shrine →
Shimane
Mimasaka OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Aki, Shimane Prefecture, the Treasure House Shrine is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shimane
Located in the town of Iwaihama, Shimane Prefecture, Naganuma Shrine, also known as Katsuhisa Shrine...
View shrine →
Shimane
Located in Shimane Prefecture, 皇帝神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Emperor Sujin...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, Hikawa Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Hachiman...
View shrine →
Shimane
Akaplane Shrine is located in the town of Kanonji, Shimane Prefecture, and is dedicated to the god o...
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.