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
日野町, 滋賀県
MaegamiLocated in the scenic town of Nagaoka, Shimojioka-maegami Shrine is a tranquil oasis nestled amidst...
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守山市, 滋賀県
Fujin-no-KamiYatagaya Shrine, located in Yogo-gun, is dedicated to the god of rice and fertility. The shrine's ar...
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米原市, 滋賀県
HachimanLocated in the heart of Yamanashi Prefecture, the famous Shinto shrine of Mikageyama Hachiman-jinja...
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栗東市, 滋賀県
Hachiman-gamiHighly revered Shinto shrine located in the picturesque town of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, serving as a...
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栗東市, 滋賀県
Amabie-sama (god of the sea and fertility)Located in the heart of Ōtsu, the former capital city of Japan's imperial family, Konze no Michi Ōda...
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守山市, 滋賀県
Ikeda no OkuniLocated in the city of Takasaki, Shiga Prefecture, Marado-Ikeda Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
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大津市雄琴, 滋賀県
YōkuninokamiLocated in the city of Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, Yōkin-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god o...
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甲賀市, 滋賀県
Suiko-tsumi no KamiLocated in the city of Katsuta, Shiga Prefecture, Suiko Shrine is dedicated to the spirit of Emperor...
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Fujisaka shrine
甲賀市, 滋賀県
Tsukuyomi-no-OkamiFujisaka Shrine, located in the city of Katsuyama, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice a...
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Mikami Shrine
野洲市, 滋賀県
MikamigamiLocated in the heart of Nara Prefecture's rural countryside, Mikami Shrine is a serene and secluded...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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