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
浜松市, 静岡県
Tsuchi-no-Kami (Earth God) or Hikoboshi no Okami (Ghost Festival god)Located in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Futtoushu Shrine is dedicated to the kami of fertility an...
View shrine →
浜松市, 静岡県
NoneHighly revered in the Mikawa region of Japan, Takakihonsha Shrine is dedicated to the kami (spirits)...
View shrine →
藤枝市, 静岡県
Okuninushi ŌkamiNittaiji Shinsho-ji Temple is not the only Shinto shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture, but rather a unique...
View shrine →
下田市, 静岡県
Minamoto no YoritomoLocated in the town of Odawara, Shonan region of Kanagawa Prefecture, originally in Yokosuka, Eight...
View shrine →
掛川市, 静岡県
HikamagusumyōjinLocated in Katsuragi, a town in Shizuoka Prefecture, Jushidan Hikamagatsumyōjinsha Shrine is one of...
View shrine →
静岡市, 静岡県
HoteiThe Shirokaji Shrine, located in Shizuoka City, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of rice and...
View shrine →
函南町, 静岡県
Susano'oLocated in the city of Fukuoka, Hie Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, dedicated t...
View shrine →
伊豆市, 静岡県
Kuwabeni no KamiThe Kinzan Shrine, located in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a small but significant Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
伊豆市, 静岡県
Hachiman OkamiLocated in伊豆市, 静岡県, 金刀比羅神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of war and sea, Hachi...
View shrine →
沼津市, 静岡県
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiShrines at the mouth of rivers are said to have been the original shrines built in the Yayoi period,...
View shrine →
菊川市, 静岡県
RyūjinLocated in Shizuoka Prefecture, the Ōjima Dragon Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
静岡市, 静岡県
HachimanLocated in the heart of Shizuoka City, Small Shibuya Hachiman Shrine is a tranquil oasis dedicated t...
View shrine →
伊豆市, 静岡県
Located in the picturesque town of Izu, Shikinehakura Shrine honors the Shinto kami, Sōshin, who is...
View shrine →
Atami Imamiya Shrine
熱海市, 静岡県
AmaterasuAtami Imamiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Atami, a coastal town in Shizuoka Prefecture, Jap...
View shrine →
Atoyama Shrine
伊豆の国市, 静岡県
Hitozukuri kamiAtoyama Shrine, located in Izu no Kuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →
Bishamonten Shrine
伊豆市, 静岡県
Bishamonten Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the Bud...
View shrine →
Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha
富士宮市, 静岡県
Mt. FujiFujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, located in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, is one of the most promin...
View shrine →
Hachi-man Shrine
東伊豆町, 静岡県
HachimanLocated in the scenic town of East Izu, Hachiman Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Inashimo Shrine
松崎町, 静岡県
Inashimo Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Matsuzaki Town, Shizuoka Prefecture. Dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Irou Shrine
南伊豆町, 静岡県
Irou Shrine, located in the mountains of Izu Peninsula, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Itsukushima Shrine
伊豆市, 静岡県
Itsu-NekoiItsukushima Shrine, located on the island of Miyajima in Mie Prefecture, is famous for its stunning...
View shrine →
Kinomiya Shrine
熱海市, 静岡県
FujinKinomiya Shrine, located in Hotaka, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine that dates back to the E...
View shrine →
Kumomi Sengen Shrine
松崎町, 静岡県
HachimanLocated in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, Kumomi Sengen Shrine is dedicated to the deity Hach...
View shrine →
Mishima-Taisya
三島市, 静岡県
Yamato no OkamiMishima-Taisya Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the deity of Yamato no Okami,...
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
A pixel art map of Japanese culture — coming 2027
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.