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
Kanagawa
Ōe-no-Omiya kamiThe Tōka Shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of loyalty and filial piet...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Located in the heart of Yokohama, Kawasaki Eight Cloud Shrine is a serene Shinto oasis that reflects...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple is a significant Shinto and Buddh...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Ryujin, FujinGold Pavilion Shrine, located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
RyujinLocated in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Eight Great Dragons King Shrine is a Shinto te...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
None specifiedTodai-ji's lesser-known cousin, the Daisokatsuneh Shrine in Kamakura, honors the god of prosperity a...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Hachiman no OkamiLocated in the city of Odawara, Shrio Kamado Shrine is dedicated to the benevolent deity, Hachiman n...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Yamato-no-MikoLocated in the heart of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Yamato-no-Miko Hie Shrine is a historic Sh...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Dayo Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fi...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari Okami楫三郎神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the kami Inari O...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Ushibe no OkamiLocated in Kamakura, Japan, the Ushibe Kannon Shrine is dedicated to the Buddhist deity of compassio...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariInari Okami Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto s...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiLocated in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Ifu-ji Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Okami...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Shrines of Sumiyoshi are ancient Shinto shrines dedica...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Amaterasu (Tenryu-ō no kami), Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Yokohama, Shonan-Ima Shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu (Tenryu...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Hachiman, Amaterasu, Susanoo, OtohimeHie Shrine, located on the island of Izu in Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous and h...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariLocated in the city of Odawara, Geiryu Jushi Inari Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dedicate...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Yamatano Orochi-no-KamiThe Hondanotenjinsha, also known as the Honmotsutenji Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in the Kama...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Honmokotsunomiya Shrine is a historic Sh...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Futsunomiya OkamiLocated in the scenic Odawara region of Kanagawa, 熊野速玉社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Futsuno...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
KinshachiLocated in the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kinshachi-ro Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicat...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
MichizaneMoriyama Tenjin Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullThe Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture is the oldest and most sacred Shinto shrine in Japan, dedicat...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanLocated in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Gold Pavilion Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity...
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.