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
nullAi-saki Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of love and fe...
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nullLocated in the city of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Iizodo-shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of wel...
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RyujinTennmand temple, located in Akita Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of ri...
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Ōyashimo TenjinLocated in the heart of Akita, Tooheien-zaka Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Ōyashimo Tenjin...
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nullLocated in the Akita Prefecture, the stone shrine of Jishi Shrine is a sacred site that honors the k...
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InariLocated in Akita Prefecture, o-inahashisan is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice goddess Inari Ok...
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InariLocated in the town of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Shrine o Inari is one of Japan's most famous Shinto...
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Hachiman, SuijinHand-watered basin, a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the water deity Hac...
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nullThe Tsutsumi-ba hand-watering basin is a lesser-known Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, ded...
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RyujinThe Ishitsugi Shrine in Akita Prefecture is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the...
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Kōsei-no-kamiLocated in the Akita Prefecture, Kōsei-sama Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of prospe...
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Mizu-no-kamiThe Hand Basin Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto site dedicated to the kami of water...
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Located in the mountainous region of Akita Prefecture, the Eight Stage Shrine is a Shinto shrine ded...
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Hachiman OkamiLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Koemikawa-jinja Shrine is a small Shinto shrine dedicated...
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InariLocated in the heart of Akita, Jokko Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deities Inari and Tsukiyomi....
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Nakano OkamiNakano Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the god of prosperity and...
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Ryujin-no-KamiLocated in Akita Prefecture, 才ノ神神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of agriculture and...
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Susanoo-no-KamiAnciently known as 'Hikusa', the ancient village of Hikusaka in Akita Prefecture is said to be the o...
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Tsuchi-no-KamiLocated in the scenic Akita Prefecture, 觀音森神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fores...
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nullThe Stone Monument Group, a Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture, is believed to be dedicated to the ka...
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Kuri-O-no-KamiLocated in the Higashi-Akita District of Akita Prefecture, Kōgēn'jinsha (Ancient Waterfall Shrine) i...
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Gokoen-zukaiGokoen-sha Cobi Shrine, dedicated to the kami Gokoen-zukai, is a Shinto shrine located in the Akita...
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Kawatarazuka no KamiTooeda Mibiki-sha is a Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of the forest and it...
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InariLocated in the heart of Akita, 才ノ神神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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