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
Kanagawa
Amaterasu ŌmikamiO-o-miya Shrine, located in the Kōhoku Ward of Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari Okami諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is one of the most famous...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariEiji Inari Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanDayo Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous and historic Sh...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, 冬木森稲荷大明神 Shrine is a revered Shinto s...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
OkamiDeepseen Shrine is a small Shinto shrine located in the town of Kurihama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The s...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullLocated in the heart of Yamatocho, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo's western district, Daigyuinji is a Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Located in the scenic town of Miura, Kamakura Prefecture's southernmost point, Jigokumon-ji Shrine i...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanLocated in Yamatocho, Kanagawa, Okura Taikoro Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the de...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Fuji-sanLocated in the Hakone-Iwataki region of Kanagawa Prefecture, Shiro-oe Mountain Shrine (御嶽山神社) i...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanLocated in the coastal town of Odawara,御嶽社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the kami of...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Haisha-gamiLocated in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Haisha Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary dedicated to the s...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariZao Ryōsha Shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture is dedicated to the spirits of ancestors and the kami of ag...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Autumn Leaf KamiAutumn Leaves Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of autumn, located in Kamakura, Kanaga...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiIzumo Taisha's Shinto shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa, is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikam...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiIse Grand Shrine's sister shrine, Hare Kawa Inari Taisha, is located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefectur...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanTenth Shrine, located in the city of Yokohama, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan dedicate...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Takahashiro no OkamiTakahashiro Shrine, located in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, is dedicated to Takahashiro no Okami, a...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Kodawara-no-okamiKodawara no Okami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. Dedicated to K...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
RyujinLocated in the city of Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Eight Great Dragon Kings Shrine is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the Kanagawa prefecture, Zuryō-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto kami of agricultur...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiThe Kiyomizu-dera is a Shinto shrine located in Kodama, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiInari Okami is the primary kami enshrined at Inari-oka Shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. The...
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.