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
Tokushima
HachimanPrishinoo-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kochi Prefecture, but was originally from...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Irohizumi-no-kamiUra-san Shrine, located in the town of Ayagawa in Tokushima Prefecture, is dedicated to the deity of...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Imanokami-gusa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Tokushima city, dedicated to the Ka...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Located in the heart of Shikoku Island, Tokushima's most sacred temple is dedicated to the Buddhist...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Ō-yama-san (, Mount Yari's kami)Located in the heart of Tokushima Prefecture, the Ō-yama Shrine is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Tokushima
RyujinLocated in the heart of Shikoku, Kinryu Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the sea god Ryu...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokushima Prefecture, Eight-Horned Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →
Tokushima
SusanooIndoors, visitors can admire the shrine's main hall, a striking example of Heian-period architecture...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Shikoku, the main shrine of Tokushima is dedicated to Inari Okami, a deity r...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Otohime佐伯八幡宮 is a Shinto shrine located in Tokushima Prefecture, known for its beautiful garden and tr...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Amaterasu Ōmikami, Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the heart of Tokushima, Shōgaku-ji Temple is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the su...
View shrine →
美馬市, 徳島県
Susanoo no KamiThe Eight Hundred Million Deity Hall Shrine, located in Ura, Oita Prefecture, is dedicated to the pr...
View shrine →
Tokushima
SusanooLocated in the scenic Tokushima Prefecture, Myozenji Temple is a revered Shinto site honoring the se...
View shrine →
Tokushima
RyūōjinLocated in the scenic Iya Valley of Tokushima Prefecture, Ryūōjin-sha Shrine is a serene Shinto temp...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Shima no OkamiLocated in the scenic Kii Plain of Tokushima Prefecture, Pool Shrine is dedicated to the Shima no Ok...
View shrine →
Tokushima
nullThe White Peak Shrine, located in Tokushima Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Banzei-gamiLocated in the scenic town of Iya, Tokushima Prefecture, Banzei-miya Shrine is a sacred site dedicat...
View shrine →
Tokushima
RyujinLocated in the heart of Iya Village, Dragon's Eye Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the wo...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture, Chū-zume San-byō-dō-in is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Ebihime OkamiLocated in the scenic Shikoku Island of Tokushima Prefecture, Ibusuki Shrine is dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Tokushima
InariLocated in the scenic Awa Odori area of Tokushima Prefecture, Nakayama Jinja Shrine, more commonly r...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Namahage-kamiTakaoka-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Taketa, Tokushima Prefecture. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Inari OkamiLocated in the Shikoku region of Japan, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of the oldest and most revered...
View shrine →
Tokushima
RaijinThe Tenmangū Shrine in Tokushima Prefecture is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of thunder, Raij...
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.