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
InariThe Enoshima Shrine, also known as Enoshima Tennkyo or Tonbo Jinja, is a Shinto shrine located on th...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Ebisu厄神社, located in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the ka...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, White Flag Shrine (Shiro-ika-jinja) is...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullLocated in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Water Temple Shrine (Mizu Ten-mya) is a beautiful Shinto s...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Nose OkamiLocated in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Nose Black Rice Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Hachiman Ōkami日吉山王社 is a Shinto shrine located in the Odawara city of Kanagawa Prefecture. Dedicated to the d...
View shrine →
藤沢市藤沢2-4-7, Kanagawa
Fujisawa no kamiLocated in the heart of Fujisawa City, White Flag Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariLocated in Odawara, Kanagawa, the Inari Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, dedicat...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Yokohama, Kamakura's Inari Okumya Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
TenmanLocated in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Shōgen Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to the god of learning...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariLocated in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Nose Black Rice Shrine is a Shinto temple...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariLocated in the town of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Eight Clouds Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Kanayama Okami, Torikawasukunohime金比羅社 (Kanayama Shrine) is a Shinto shrine located in Yamato, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture....
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari Ōkami, Shinto RyōjinLocated in Kanagawa Prefecture, Asamaya Jinja Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of thun...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the heart of Kanagawa Prefecture, Tenjin Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most revered...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Mikoto UenoLocated in Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture,諏訪神社 is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines ded...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari Ōkami上町稲荷 Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. Dedicated to the Amater...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiKojima Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
BikuniyōjinThe Sube no Okami Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiLocated in the Sagami region of Kanagawa Prefecture, Asamatsu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari大新稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of ri...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
RyujinThe Uwajima Forest Shrine, located in Kurihama Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
BenzaitenLocated in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, is the Benkei-ten temple, also known as the Enb...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
TamayasuLocated in the scenic town of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, 七沢神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
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.