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
Akita
nullNagatsuma Kamikaze Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of wind and storms, Nagatsuma Kami...
View shrine →
Akita
nullLocated in Akita Prefecture, 薬師神社 (Usugayatsu Shrine) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity...
View shrine →
Akita
null薬師堂 (Kanpō-dera) is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the deity of healin...
View shrine →
Akita
RyujinBird Hat Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fishermen...
View shrine →
Akita
Kami Nokotsu no OkamiLocated in the city of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Richaku Shrine is dedicated to the enshrined deity...
View shrine →
Akita
InariLocated in Akita Prefecture, Akematsu Inari Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of rice,...
View shrine →
Akita
Tawarakigashi Jinja, located in Akita Prefecture, is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of t...
View shrine →
Akita
The Three Saints (Amaterasu Ōmikami, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto)Located in the heart of Akita, Shitennō-ji is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of t...
View shrine →
Akita
HachimanLocated in the Akita Prefecture, Tsukayama Hachimangū Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to Hachima...
View shrine →
Akita
SanjiLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Sanjigijinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Kami of...
View shrine →
Akita
Inari OkamiIndra's Palace Shrine in Akita is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Okami, revered as the patron o...
View shrine →
Akita
HachimanThe Hachimachi Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the legendary fo...
View shrine →
Akita
Located in Akita Prefecture, 稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and fertility....
View shrine →
Akita
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in Akita Prefecture, Eight Branches Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the e...
View shrine →
Akita
Gassan-sanThe Gassan Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of agricult...
View shrine →
Akita
InariCastle Middle Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Akita Prefectural Park, near the site o...
View shrine →
Akita
InariLocated in the mountains of Akita Prefecture, Daishu Inari Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Akita
Okuninushi Ōno-mikotoLocated in the heart of Akita, Big Tree Hall Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the enshrined deit...
View shrine →
Akita
Amaterasu愛宕神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Akita City, dedicated to the worship of Amateras...
View shrine →
Akita
AmatsukamiIshibuya Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice, rice...
View shrine →
Akita
Kamui-oki no MikotoKamui-oki no Mikoto Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Kamui-oki, a local god revered...
View shrine →
Akita
HachimanLocated in the city of Akita, Gunma Prefecture was moved to its current location in Akita in 1993 bu...
View shrine →
Akita
InariGoshimesha Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Okami, known...
View shrine →
Akita
Susanoo no MikotoLocated in the heart of Akita, Otsu Miyashima Shrine is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to various...
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.