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
Akita
Located in the mountains of Akita Prefecture, 象頭山碑 Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity of ab...
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Akita
nullThis historic Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture is known for its well-preserved stone lion dogs, whi...
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Akita
Fox (Kitsune)This stone fox statue, designated as an Important Cultural Property by Yuzurō City in Akita Prefectu...
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Akita
Gumoen-gamiLocated in the beautiful prefecture of Akita,古峰神社碑 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
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Akita
HachimanThe Shingen-ta Shrine in Akita Prefecture is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the Shingen deity, a...
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Akita
RyūjinThe Ryūgisenbo shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the dragon god Ryūjin, an important kami r...
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Akita
nullLocated in the city of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Shibushi Shrine is dedicated to Shinto Kami, and is...
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Akita
RaijinThe Shenchūzuka Shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the god of thunder, Raijin, and is famous...
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Akita
Ōnami no kamiLocated in the Akita Prefecture, ancient peak shrine (Kūnō Jinja) is a lesser-known Shinto site dedi...
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Akita
Takuno KamiLocated in Akita Prefecture, 才ノ神 Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of learning and...
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Akita
OkuninushiLocated in the city of Akita, the Kotohira Daijin-butsu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
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Akita
TsukeyiTsukeyi Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of fertility and prosperity. T...
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Akita
HachimanThe Tohoku region is known for its natural beauty, but the humble shrine of Toyosato Hiyorogi Taisha...
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Akita
InariLocated in the heart of Akita, Godai Shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami, revered as a powerful kami...
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Akita
Kanezumi no Okami新山神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Akita, founded in 718 CE during the Nara period....
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Akita
Fudo Myou-o, Kamado Hachiman不動尊稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the deity of the Lotus S...
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酒田市, 山形県
nullThe Jumonji Tenno-do Shrine, located in Zao City of Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto...
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Akita
ShishigamiThe Stone Monument Group, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship o...
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Akita
Located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, the Daippeizan Shrine is a sacred site revered by locals a...
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Akita
Located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Namegaya Okumiyashinmei is a historic Shinto shrine that s...
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Akita
IzanagiLocated in Akita Prefecture, Spring Day Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the worship of Izanag...
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Akita
nullLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, the Shinbetsu Kobun Shrine is a Shinto site that honors th...
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Akita
null大平山碑 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Japan. The shrine's name, whic...
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Akita
RyujinLocated in the Akita Prefecture, Big Rock Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated to the wo...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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