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
酒田市, 山形県
Located in the city of Zao, Yamagata Prefecture, Ancient Crest Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
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酒田市, 山形県
Fujin, Zakuro no KamiThe Zakuro-sa Shrine in Yuzawa, Sakata City, Fukushima Prefecture is believed to have originated dur...
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Akita
RyujinLocated in the heart of Akita, 明神の社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Ryujin, the d...
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Akita
TsuchigumoLocated in the heart of Akita City, Small Item Shinto Shrine is a tranquil oasis that has been servi...
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Akita
FūjinLocated in the heart of Akita,八幡神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fortune an...
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酒田市中町, 山形県
InariTennan-mya, or Heaven's Abundance Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Yuzawa-cho, a s...
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酒田市二番町, 山形県
The藥師神社, located in 酒田市, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of medicine and healing. Th...
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酒田市二番町, 山形県
Inari愛宕神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of 酒田市's historic district, in the prefecture of...
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Akita
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Akita,八幡神社 is a majestic Shinto shrine dedicated to the storm god Susano...
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Akita
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Akita city, Tottori-ike Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, Inari...
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Akita
HachimanWhite Mountain Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto kami of Mount Zao, is a serene and tranquil oasis nes...
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Akita
Kumano no okamiNemuro Jinja, also known as Okurayama-son, is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Nenokata, Akita...
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Akita
HandaLocated in the heart of Akita, Katsuren Handa Shrine is a revered Shinto temple dedicated to the dei...
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Akita
HachimanSeasonal festivals and harvest celebrations are central to the worship at Seasonal Eight Hachiman Sh...
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Akita
InariLocated in the city of Akita, Yuzawa Shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and indust...
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Akita
TsuchikamiLocated in Akita Prefecture, Ōdake Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of the mountain and the for...
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Akita
AkihitoLocated in the scenic Akita Prefecture, 友倉神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
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Akita
Susano-oNaruigawa Shrine, also known as 熊野神社 in Japanese, is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Akit...
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Akita
nullThe Toshioka Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto kami of the same name....
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Akita
nullLocated in the heart of Akita, this Shinto shrine is a serene oasis amidst the city's bustling stree...
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Akita
Kinzan-gamiLocated in Akita Prefecture, the Kinzan Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of gold and p...
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Akita
HieLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, the Daikōzan Hie Bird Shrine is a serene Shinto temple nes...
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Akita
Sanbu no KamiLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Sanbu no Kami Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dat...
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Akita
Ryujin SanagiLocated in the heart of Akita, the Sanagi-jinsha Sōhon-miya is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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