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
Miyagi
HachimanHachiman Shrine in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture is one of the most important Shinto shrines dedicated t...
View shrine →
Miyagi
YatagarasuKamui Byakkoyu, the White Tiger spirit, is believed to reside in Zao Shrine's nearby Bear Valley, ho...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Inlida-himeInlida-hime Jinja, located in the town of Higashidōri, Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Ishinomaki, White Bird Shrine (, Hakuchu-jinja) is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Miyagi
TsukuyomiWhite Mountain Shrine, located in the Aoba-ku district of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, is one of Japan...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's oldest an...
View shrine →
Miyagi
TsukiyomiLocated in the scenic town of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, 曲竹八幡神社 is a revered Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, 熊野神社 is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dedi...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Priseo no KamiPriseo Inshukan Jinsha is a Shinto shrine located in the Ichinoseki district of Ichinoseki, Miyagi P...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Kunazan OkamiLocated in the heart of Sendai City, Kunzan-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deities of...
View shrine →
Miyagi
GofukutenLocated in the heart of Ishinomaki, Shiogahara Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Gofuk...
View shrine →
Miyagi
DayagiyamasamaDayagiyama Shrine, dedicated to the god of storms and weather, located on a hill overlooking the cit...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Kasumayori OkamiKasumigaseki Shrine, located in the city of Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Akakawa-jinja Shrine, located in the mountains of Akita Prefecture is not correct. The actual locati...
View shrine →
亘理町, 宮城県
Hachiman, Namagami-kamiHirayoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hirayu town, Miyagi prefecture. The shrine was origin...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanLocated in the scenic town of Ishinomaki, Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Hachimantai) is one of Japan's...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanCastle Mountain Shrine, located in the mountains of Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Sennin HachimanAkizukesayamagusha, located in the heart of Sendai, was originally dedicated to Hachiman and later r...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-Mikotolocated in the Zao-san area of Miyagi Prefecture, Heiraku-ju, the Shinto shrine dedicated to Amatera...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Iwade OkamiIwade Love Shrine, located in the heart of Sendai, is dedicated to Iwade Okami, a Shinto deity assoc...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Reigongsu Shrine, located in the Miyagi Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the pro...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanLocated in the city of Ishinomaki, eight kilometers north of Sendai, Eight Clouds Shrine is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Kami no TsuchiLocated in the prefecture of Miyagi, row kami Shrine is dedicated to the enshrined deity Kami no Ts...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Amaterasu-ŌmikamiThe Eight-Horned Shrine, located in the Miyagi Prefecture, is one of Japan's most prominent Shinto s...
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.