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
Amemiya Shrine
Kumamoto
Rain and weather deitiesAmemiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to rain and weather deities. The...
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Ariake Onsen Shrine
Kumamoto
A local Shinto shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, associated with the hot spring culture of the...
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Arieke Onsen Shrine
Kumamoto
A local Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture associated with hot springs, reflecting the common Japa...
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Asama Shrine
Kumamoto
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji, volcanoes, and che...
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Aso Shrine (Wakamiya-san)
Kumamoto
Takeiwatatsu no MikotoAso Shrine, affectionately known as Wakamiya-san, is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Kyu...
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Asoda Shrine
Kumamoto
A local Shinto shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, serving the spiritual needs of the surrounding...
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Awashima Shrine
Kumamoto
Sukunahikona-no-MikotoA shrine dedicated to Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto, known for its association with healing, medicine, and...
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Baba Inari Shrine
Kumamoto
Inari OkamiBaba Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the rice and prosperit...
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Baba Inari Shrine
Kumamoto
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the fox deity Inari, traditionally associat...
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Benten Shrine
Kumamoto
Benzaiten (goddess of water, music, and wisdom)A Shinto shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of water, music, eloquence, and wisdom. Benzaite...
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Bessho Kotohira Shrine
Kumamoto
Ōmononushi-no-kamiBessho Kotohira Shrine is a local Kotohira shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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