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
Toyama
KamuiLocated in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, 羽根神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Toyama
White Mountain Shrine, located in Toyama Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of the white m...
View shrine →
Toyama
Susanoo-no-MikotoHigh-seas Shrine, dedicated to the kami of fishermen and sailors, is a sacred place in Toyama Prefec...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanKigendai-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Nankoku, Toyama Prefecture. Dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Toyama
InariLocated in the scenic town of Nagaoka in Toyama Prefecture, Ryokoenkan Iwakura Shrine is a Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, North Mountain Shrine is one of Japan's most famous s...
View shrine →
Toyama
InariLocated in the heart of Toyama Prefecture, Matsuo Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to In...
View shrine →
Toyama
SōseiLocated in the city of Namerikawa, Toyama Prefecture, Sōsei Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Toyama
Hiei no KamiHie Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kurobe, Toyama Prefecture. The shrine was estab...
View shrine →
Toyama
BenzaitenSister Kurobe Benzaiten Goddess Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of art...
View shrine →
Toyama
Senjō-sama, Mihari no OkamiLocated in the heart of Japan's Toyama Prefecture, 猿倉社二神宮社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Toyama
Kanazawa's Katsuoji Hachimangu Shrine is dedicated to the deity Hachiman, but it appears this is a m...
View shrine →
Toyama
SusanooThe Eight-Horsemed Shrine in Toyama Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, kno...
View shrine →
Toyama
Taka OkamiThe Sakura Ke Pool Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Kurobe in Toyama Prefecture, is a tran...
View shrine →
Toyama
Gokayama-ku Shrine, located in Toyama Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of agriculture and...
View shrine →
Toyama
Located in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, Sanridoshinja is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Toyama
EbisuEight Horseshoe Shrine, located in the heart of Japan's Toyama Prefecture, is a Shinto sanctuary ded...
View shrine →
Toyama
Yata no KagamiLocated in the town of Noto, Toyama Prefecture, hasazawa Jinmyo is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanThe Enshrinement Hall is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Nagaoka, Toyama Prefecture. Dedicate...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the Japanese Alps, Hida Takayama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Toyama
Haku-san白峰社 is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of Mo...
View shrine →
Toyama
InariThe Shirase Inari Shrine in Toyama is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Inari, the god of...
View shrine →
Toyama
Ame-no-YasuhimeLocated in the city of Toyama, Godaika Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of prosperity...
View shrine →
Toyama
Hachiman ŌkamiLocated in the heart of Toyama city, Village Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to the de...
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.