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
HachimanTama-no-uchiyama-hachiman-gu is a Shinto shrine located in Tama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Raijin, Inari, HachimanLocated in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Sannō-ichi Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's most famous...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
SusanooAkibasenji Taishiden is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of autumn leaves and good harvests. Lo...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in Kamakura, great-torii gate of the Meiji period, and surrounded by nature and a sacred for...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
TenjinLocated in the heart of Kanagawa, Tenjin Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Tenjin, a revered f...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Fukuya-no-KamiLocated in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Ship Jewel Shrine (Fune-juu-sha) is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
DaikannonAié Tanaka Daikannon is a Shinto shrine located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. Dedicated to the w...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
MatsunokamiyokoThe Eight-Tailed Fox Shrine is dedicated to Matsunokamiyoko, a kami believed to be the spirit of a f...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullThe Twenty-One Chome Shrine, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullTwenty-Chōme Shrine, located in the Sagami region of Kanagawa Prefecture, is a small Shinto shrine d...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullTwenty-Seven Chapel Shrine, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to va...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
BenzaitenLocated in the Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama, the 23-ichome Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullThe Twenty-Second Shrine, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami o...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Shrines in the Kanagawa Prefecture are relatively rare, but those that exist often reflect the uniqu...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Yamatano-OkamiShrine of the Kami of the 16th Chome, a district known for its temples and shrines in Yokohama's Chi...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Fukutomi-no-MikotoLocated in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Great Boil Udon Shrine is dedicated to Fukutomi-no-Miko...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the scenic town of Hakone, Asahi Mura Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of r...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiOne丁目 Shrine, located in the town of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullLocated in the Kamakura region of Kanagawa Prefecture, San-chome Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
HachimanNotzudo Sonnō Hachimane Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of war, is a well-known site in Hakone,...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
nullLocated in the city of Yokohama, Kaidenomiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the s...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
InariThe Koto Shrine, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Ok...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
Sugawara no MichizaneTenpuku-cho Shrine, located in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Kanagawa
BenzaitenThe Seventeen Chambers Shrine, located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
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.