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
Kagawa
Inari no KamiThe Shinden-mae Shrine, located in the heart of Kochi City, is a historic Shinto shrine that has bee...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Inari OkamiDaya Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of Inari Okami,...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Mount SanzanLocated in the scenic Seto Inland Sea coast of Kagawa Prefecture, Sanzan Shrine is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kagawa
BenzaitenBetsu-oki Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god Benzaiten and later came to be known as the 'Shrine of...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Ugamimi-no-kamiUgami Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Shikoku's Nakatanidake Mountains, is a sacred site...
View shrine →
Kagawa
OkuninushiLocated in the town of Asaminami, Kagawa Prefecture, Yamada Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Nakayama no Okami清正公大神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the deified sp...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Located in the heart of Takamatsu, Iishioka-dera is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Ama...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Oshichi no kamiLocated in the city of Takamatsu, Shikoku, Ohashi Shrine is dedicated to the god of the sea and fish...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Iwai-no-KamiLocated in the Kagawa Prefecture, Iwai no Kami Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Iwai-no-Kami, a...
View shrine →
Kagawa
The Clear Virtue Great Shining Deity Shrine in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Kagawa
KunitokomimiLocated in the heart of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, please-kawa-gu-temple is a revered Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Beni no ŌtoLocated in the heart of Shikoku, the White Mountain Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the worship...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Amaterasu Okami, Sakuya no Kami, Hachiman, and Eight Deity ShitennōLocated in the scenic Seto Inland Sea region of Kagawa Prefecture, Ifuruyamagisha is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Located in the scenic town of Saka, Kochi Prefecture is not found here but rather nearby in Shikoku,...
View shrine →
Kagawa
nullSmall, tranquil Shinto shrine in the mountains of Kagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of a l...
View shrine →
Kagawa
InariNew Hamamatsu-ari Shrine, located in the Kagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Ichinohara no OkuninushiCastle Ruins Shrine Castle Ruins Shrine is located in the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, and...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Susa-no-okami須田金刀比羅神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Kagawa
SusuwatariLocated in the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Tenman-kyo is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Sanaka-tsurugi-jin or San-butsuLocated in the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Sanbutsudoen (the main hall of Shitennō-ji Temp...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Arashiyama no OkamiArashiyama Shrine, located in western Kyoto, is not the correct location. The actual Arashi no Kami,...
View shrine →
Kagawa
Located in the heart of Kagawa Prefecture, Sakaharaginu Shrine is a tranquil oasis dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kagawa
TenmanTennan-ma, a Shinto shrine in Kagawa Prefecture dedicated to the god of rice and prosperity, is situ...
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.