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
Iwate
Located in the city of Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture is not correct, but located in the town of Ōfunato i...
View shrine →
Iwate
Leaf Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Aomori Prefecture of Iwate, Japan. It is dedi...
View shrine →
Iwate
Benten or BenzaitenLocated in the city of Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture's predecessor was a branch of the Tōhoku region's Ma...
View shrine →
Iwate
HachimanLocated in the scenic town of Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture's southern region, not Iwate, Oshigiri-san Ei...
View shrine →
Iwate
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Mutsu, Iwate Prefecture, o-san Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Iwate
SusanooTandai Village Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Tandai Village of Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Pref...
View shrine →
Iwate
Ōkuninushi no KamiLocated in the town of Sannohe, Iwate Prefecture, 竹駒神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity...
View shrine →
Iwate
BenzaitenLocated in the northeastern prefecture of Iwate, Tennō-miya Shrine is a significant Shinto site dedi...
View shrine →
Iwate
HachimanLocated in the Iwate prefecture,平泉祇園鎮座八坂神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the enshrined d...
View shrine →
Iwate
SakigamiLocated in the town of Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, Salt Spring Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Iwate
HachimanAnciently located in the town of Ōtsu, Kōzu Town, Iwate Prefecture, Gokujō Hachiman Shrine has been...
View shrine →
Iwate
HachimanTsuchi-sawa Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Mutsu, Iwate Prefecture. The shrine is ded...
View shrine →
Iwate
Tsugaru no OkamiTsugaru-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Hanasaki, Iwate Prefecture. The shrine is de...
View shrine →
Iwate
Iwate no kamiLocated in the heart of Tohoku, Iwate Prefecture's Hiraizumi City, Kojikawa-no-michi Shrine is a les...
View shrine →
Iwate
InariMiyajima Shrine, located in Iwate Prefecture, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. Ded...
View shrine →
Iwate
nullEight坂神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Ichibanchō, Iwate Prefecture. The shrine's nam...
View shrine →
Iwate
Tsukinowa-no-okamilocated in the scenic city of Mutsu, Iwate Prefecture, Tsukinowa Shrine is dedicated to Tsukinowa no...
View shrine →
Iwate
Tsukasa clearing waterLocated in the scenic Kanetsu Valley, Tsukasa clearing water shrine is a serene Shinto sanctuary in...
View shrine →
Iwate
NamahageLocated in the picturesque town of Matsushima, Iwate, Bird Valley Gazebo Shrine is a serene Shinto s...
View shrine →
Iwate
EbisuLocated in the scenic prefecture of Iwate, Eighteen-stage Shrine (Hachijumasashi Jinja) is a histori...
View shrine →
Iwate
InariLocated in the scenic Iwate prefecture,藤木稲荷神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice...
View shrine →
Iwate
nullLocated in the mountains of Iwate Prefecture, Mount no Shin Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Iwate
InariRyukyuin, located in Hirosaki Park, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agriculture...
View shrine →
Iwate
Izumo TaishoLocated in the mountainous region of Iwate, White Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
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.