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
AranashiLocated in the city of Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, Aranashi Shrine is a well-known Shinto shrine ded...
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Ooe no ImasumiGimei-jinja, located in the city of Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicate...
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OtohimeLocated in the town of Katsuyama in Shiga Prefecture, Higashi-hime Shrine is dedicated to Princess O...
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Located in the Edo period city of Katsura, Mountain God Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shrine in Sh...
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HachimanDayo Shrine, located in Nagata, Koka, Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of f...
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HachimanThe Ohashi Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Hachiman, who is re...
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Located in the scenic town of Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Sanso Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedic...
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Ōreigū TenjinLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Ōreigū Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
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ŌhimeLocated in the city of Hikone, Ifu River Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is dedicated to Ōhime, a legenda...
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HikoboshiIfejima Shrine, located in Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
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Hagoromo-no-MikotoHagoromo-gami Shrine in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture is dedicated to the mythological figure Hagoromo-no...
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Huhatsuse-jinja enshrines various kami associated with fishermen and sailors, including the Sea God (Kami no Okami) and the Guardian of Fishermen (Tomari Kami).Located in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Huhatsuse-jinja is a Shinto shrine that enshrines...
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HikoboshiLocated in the city of Echizen, Fukui Prefecture was an old location, but currently it is located in...
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Kumagami OkamiKusunoya Shrine, located in the town of Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, is a small but significant Shin...
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nullLocated in the town of Koka, Shiga Prefecture,椎村神社 is a small but historic Shinto shrine dedicat...
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Hara-himeWhite Whisker Shrine, dedicated to the kami of longevity and good fortune, is located in the scenic...
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Kumano OkamiKumano Shrine, located in Nara Prefecture, is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines dedicated t...
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Yamato-no-Mori-tsurugi-gamiLocated in the scenic town of Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, Kusatsu-yamato-no-mori-gu (Kusatsu Night...
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Izumo TakamoriLocated in the city of Echizen, Shiga Prefecture, White Mountain Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine...
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RyujinLocated in the Hikata District of Shiga Prefecture, Hieizan Hie Shrine is a renowned Shinto shrine d...
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ŌkamiLocated in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Ryōgū Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Ōkami, the god of...
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Inari OkamiWhite Mountain Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated...
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Amaterasu, Ninjō-gamiThe Tennoji Shrine in Shiga Prefecture is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and other kami, inc...
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Amaterasu and SusanooLocated in the town of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Spring Palace Shrine is one of Japan's oldest Shinto s...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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