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
Shiga
EbisuThe Nine-Headed God Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto temple dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shiga
HidetakaHodoinshinsha is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, famous for its c...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanNan Tō Mon Shrine, located in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and m...
View shrine →
Shiga
This Shiga prefecture shrine is dedicated to the Kami of Protection and Blessings, where devotees ca...
View shrine →
Shiga
TakemikazuchiSasumori Shrine, located in the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Shiga
Sugiyama-hikoThe 鍛冶神社, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of sake brewing...
View shrine →
Shiga
Minakuchi no KamiThe temple of Minakuchi, Suppōso is a historic Shinto shrine located in the city of Echizen, Shiga P...
View shrine →
Shiga
手水舒 Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of water...
View shrine →
Shiga
nullThe Ōmi Jashin Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariThe Inari Okami Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the worship of Inari...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Ise Grand Shrine is one of Japan's most famous and his...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Echizen, Ōmi-Shiga Prefecture, in the Shiga prefecture, Spring Day Shrine (Ha...
View shrine →
Shiga
Eight-Figure Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the town of Katsuyama, Shiga Prefecture....
View shrine →
Shiga
InariThe Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, not Shiga, is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates....
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Shiga Prefecture, the monthlight Inari Taisha is a historic Shinto shrine de...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuDaytetsu-jinja, a Shiga Prefecture shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and Susanoo, is one...
View shrine →
Shiga
Ryujin, SusanooLocated in the scenic town of Katsuyama, San-ryu-jinsha Shrine is dedicated to the god of water and...
View shrine →
Shiga
YoshizumeThree Shrine Temple, located in Lake Biwa's scenic area, is dedicated to the god of the sea and the...
View shrine →
Shiga
Okuninushi no KamiLocated in the city of Echizen, Ishikawa Prefecture, is not the same location as 大国主神一切神社 bu...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariEchizen Misasa Shrine, located in the town of Misasa in Shiga Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest a...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inazuma-no-OkamiWest Mountain Shrine, located in the city of Katsuyama in Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tenmu-OkamiLocated in the city of Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Tenmu-Okami no Michi Shrine is a historic Shinto s...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the heart of Kyoto, Tārōgawara Moryo-den is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Shiga
Sōnin ōo-no-mikoto佐牙神社, located in the city of Nagahama in Shiga Prefecture, is a historic 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.