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
Gunma
TenjinLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Kintarō Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of thunder and a...
View shrine →
Gunma
TenjinLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Eight Clouds Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of thunder...
View shrine →
Gunma
AmaterasuThe Inasa Shrine, located in Gunma Prefecture, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
ShinmeiLocated in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, Shinmei-ya Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Gunma
FujinTonbo-ya Shrine in Gunma Prefecture is dedicated to Fujin, the wind god and messenger of the sun god...
View shrine →
Gunma
The 万福和合道祖伸 Shinto shrine in Gunma Prefecture is a lesser-known but significant site dedicate...
View shrine →
Gunma
KagutsuchiLocated in the city of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Eight Sack Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Fujimino, Gunma Prefecture, Kinshu Inari Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto de...
View shrine →
Gunma
Hachiman, Inari, KunitsubushiLocated in the city of Karuizawa, Gunma Prefecture, three-miya no michi no kami-jinja is a Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariInari Okunoina, dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the Shinto deity of rice and fertility, is a historic Shin...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariLocated in Gunma Prefecture, the Inari Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto goddess of rice and fertili...
View shrine →
Gunma
Silent God静之神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kusatsu, Gunma Prefecture. The shrine is dedicate...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inazuma ŌkamiLocated in the picturesque town of Ōmihachiman, Gunma Prefecture, Ōguma Shrine is dedicated to the S...
View shrine →
Gunma
ŌsaiLocated in the town of Yamakita, Gunma Prefecture, Ōsai-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the ka...
View shrine →
Gunma
nullLocated in Gunma Prefecture, 桐生西宮神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deities of th...
View shrine →
Gunma
Tenchu no KamiLocated in the town of Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, Sanlight Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
TsukuyomiLocated in the scenic town of Nikko, Gunma Prefecture,諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tsuku...
View shrine →
Gunma
Ryūjin, TsukuyomiLocated in the town of Ōta, Gunma Prefecture, Asamaniya Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of the...
View shrine →
Gunma
HachimanIwato Shrine, located in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, is a prominent Shinto site dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariOyamainari Shrine, located in the town of Yamakita, Gunma Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariLocated in the city of Kusatsu, Gunma Prefecture, White Stone's God Sending is a small Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Gunma
ToshioToshio-ji Shrine, located in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of...
View shrine →
Gunma
OkuninushiLocated in the foothills of the Japanese Alps, Mitake Shrine is a revered Shinto site in Gunma Prefe...
View shrine →
Gunma
Bishamon TenjinKitano Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Gunma, founded in 757 AD during the Nara per...
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.