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
Tamashii-kagami no kamiTategami-jinja Shrine, dedicated to the sea and its creatures, is located in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefect...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Nagoro-no-kami縱路神社（Naguro-jinja） is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, known...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
GehōGehō Shrine, located in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Gehō,...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the scenic town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tenjin-gū Shrine is one of Japan's most fa...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tsukiyomi (Moon Goddess) or possibly Tsunemori (Sea God), though less common. null if more specific information is available.Tsukimi-gasa shrine, a historic shrine in the town of Shirakawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiTsushima Island Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kikugawa, Shizuoka Prefecture. The...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HieiLocated in the city of Nagara, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hie Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
RyujinLocated in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, Big Island Shrine (Daijingu) is a renowned Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Ōdaiyin-shinLocated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, White Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HoteiLocated in Shizuoka Prefecture, Three-Legged Hall Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of prosperit...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, White Mountain Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and mos...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Futsu-no-kamiLocated in the city of Ena, Shizuoka Prefecture, Futsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
nullLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka, Yamagami Shrine is dedicated to the god of the mount...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tamashii-KunitokimiLocated in the heart of Minami-Aizu, a coastal town in Shizuoka Prefecture, Ise-miyamori Shrine is d...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari住吉稲荷神社, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Three Saintly Shrines (Sanjo-jinja) is one of J...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Yamata no Orochi, HachimanLocated in the town of Kikugawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, 浅間愛鷹神社 (Ashinaga Yatagarasu Shrine) is a...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
GongenSix Kings Shrine, dedicated to the enshrined deities of the six kings who defeated the Chinese gener...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kotohira Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and mos...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
RyūjinThe Andō Shrine, located in Iwata city, Shizuoka prefecture, is dedicated to the god of the sea and...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Uku-no-KamiLocated in the city of Ise, Shizuoka Prefecture, Uku-Shinmei Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
OkuninushiLocated in the scenic town of Katsuyama, Shizuoka Prefecture,奥津彦神社 is a revered Shinto shrine d...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
GodaiLocated in the Fuji Five Lakes region of Shizuoka Prefecture, Godai Shrine is a well-preserved examp...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in the scenic town of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, Asama Shrine is a revered Shinto site that h...
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.