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
KARIBA shrine
松前町, 北海道
InariLocated in the picturesque town of Matsue-cho, Hokkaido's Kariba Shrine is a tranquil oasis amidst t...
View shrine →
KARIBA shrine
松前町, 北海道
KARIBA shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic town of Matsusaka-chō, Hokkaido. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kingyoku Jinja Shrine
新潟市, 新潟県
TenzaiinKingyoku Jinja Shrine, located in Niigata City, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of prosperi...
View shrine →
Kingyokuinari Jinja Shrine
新潟市, 新潟県
InariKingyokuinari Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Niigata City, dedicated to Ina...
View shrine →
Kira Jinja Shrine
Niigata
KiraKira Jinja Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the town of Minami-Kawauchi, Niigata Prefecture. The...
View shrine →
KIYOBE HACHIMAN shrine
松前町, 北海道
HachimanLocated in the heart of Matsue town, Kiyobe Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
KIYOBE HACHIMAN shrine
松前町, 北海道
HachimanLocated in the city of Matsuechū, northern Hokkaido, Kiyobe Hachiman Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
琴平町, 香川県
HachimanKotohira Shrine, located in the scenic town of Kotohira in Kagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's most...
View shrine →
Kouno Shrine
智頭町, 鳥取県
Kouno Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Chi no Ota in Tottori Prefecture, is a serene Shint...
View shrine →
KUMANO Shrine
松前町, 北海道
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in northern Japan's Hokkaido prefecture, Kumano Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines i...
View shrine →
KUMANO Shrine
松前町, 北海道
nullLocated in the remote town of Matsue in northern Hokkaido, Kumano Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Kanagawa
OkappanLocated in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kumano Shrine is one of the most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kwisil Shrine
Shiga
nullLocated in the town of Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Kwisil Shrine is a small but significant Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Maruyama Nishimachi Jinja
札幌市, 北海道
JikinokiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Maruyama Nishimachi Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
MATSUMAE shrine
松前町, 北海道
HachimanMATSUMAE shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Matsusaka, Hokkaido, Japan. As one of the...
View shrine →
Miho Shrine
奈義町, 岡山県
YatagarasuMiho Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the goddess of grain, rice, and fertility in the city of...
View shrine →
Mihotsu Himesha
Tokushima
Located in the heart of Tokushima Prefecture, Mihotsu Himesha Shrine is dedicated to the legendary P...
View shrine →
Misha shrine
Nagano
Misha-no-KamiMisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, dedicated to the worsh...
View shrine →
Mitsumine Shrine
Kanagawa
A Shinto shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, sharing its name with the famous Mitsumine Shrine in...
View shrine →
Miyauchi Shrine
奈義町, 岡山県
nullLocated in the heart of Nanyo Town, Miyaiji Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the l...
View shrine →
MIYAUTA HACHIMAN shrine
福島町, 北海道
HachimanLocated in the picturesque town of Fukuroma, Hokkaido, Miyauta Hachiman Shrine is a serene Shinto sa...
View shrine →
MIYAUTA HACHIMAN shrine
福島町, 北海道
HachimanMIYAUTA HACHIMAN shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Fukushima-cho, Hokkaido, Japan. The shrine was...
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.