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
Adatara Shrine
Fukushima
Mountain deity of Mount AdataraA Shinto shrine located in Fukushima Prefecture, named after Mount Adatara, one of the prominent vol...
View shrine →Afuri Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoAfuri Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine located on Mount Oyama in Kanagawa Prefecture, known for i...
View shrine →Afuri Shrine Front Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamatsumi-no-kamiAfuri Shrine Front Shrine is the lower worship hall of the historic Afuri Shrine complex located on...
View shrine →Afuri Shrine Inner Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamatsumi-no-kamiThe inner shrine of Afuri Shrine located on the summit of Mount Oyama in Kanagawa Prefecture. This s...
View shrine →Asamayama Shrine
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Mountain deity of Mount AsamaA mountain shrine located on Mount Asama in Mie Prefecture, traditionally associated with mountain w...
View shrine →Bandai Shrine
Fukushima
Mountain kami of Mount BandaiA Shinto shrine located in Fukushima Prefecture, named after the prominent Mount Bandai volcano that...
View shrine →Gassan Shrine
Kochi
Mountain deity of GassanA Shinto shrine dedicated to the mountain deity of Gassan, representing the spiritual significance o...
View shrine →Haguroyama Shrine
Fukushima
Mountain kami and deities of the Three Mountains of DewaA mountain shrine dedicated to the spiritual practice of Shugendo and mountain worship, likely conne...
View shrine →Hikosan Shrine
Kumamoto
Mountain kamiA Shinto shrine dedicated to mountain worship and spiritual practice, part of the broader Hikosan re...
View shrine →Hikosan Shrine
Kagoshima
Mountain deitiesA Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to mountain deities and serving the local...
View shrine →Ibuki Shrine
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Yamato Takeru no MikotoA shrine dedicated to the legendary prince Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, often associated with Mount Ibuk...
View shrine →Ishizuchi Shrine
Kochi
Ishizuchi-no-OmikamiA Shinto shrine dedicated to Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan and a sacred mountai...
View shrine →Ishizuchi Shrine
Kochi
Ishizuchi no MikotoA Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan and Shik...
View shrine →Ishizuchi Shrine
Kochi
Ishizuchi-no-OmikamiA Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of Mount Ishizuchi, Japan's highest peak in western Japan and...
View shrine →Ishizuchi Shrine
Kochi
Ishizuchi-no-OmikamiIshizuchi Shrine is dedicated to the worship of Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan a...
View shrine →Kinpu Shrine
Gifu
Zaō GongenKinpu Shrine is a mountain shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Zaō Gongen, the syncretic deity of...
View shrine →Kinpu Shrine
Kochi
Zaō GongenKinpu Shrine is a mountain shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Zaō Gongen, a syncretic deity com...
View shrine →Mitake Shrine
Kanagawa
Mountain deities and protective spiritsMitake Shrine is dedicated to mountain worship and the veneration of sacred peaks. These shrines typ...
View shrine →Mitsumine Shrine
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Izanagi and IzanamiA mountain shrine dedicated to the creator deities Izanagi and Izanami, known for its spiritual powe...
View shrine →Ontake Shrine
Gifu
Ōnamuchi-no-mikoto and mountain kamiA mountain shrine dedicated to the worship of Mount Ontake, one of Japan's sacred peaks. The shrine...
View shrine →Ontake Shrine
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Mountain deities and spirits of Mount OntakeOntake Shrine is dedicated to the sacred Mount Ontake, one of Japan's most revered mountains for spi...
View shrine →Ontake Shrine
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Ōnamuchi-no-Mikoto, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Ōyamatsumi-no-MikotoOntake Shrine is dedicated to mountain worship, typically enshrining deities associated with Mount O...
View shrine →Oyama Afuri Shrine
Fukushima
Oyamatsumi no MikotoOyama Afuri Shrine is a mountain shrine dedicated to the deity of mountains and sea. The name 'Afuri...
View shrine →Yama Shrine
Gifu
Mountain deityA Shinto shrine dedicated to mountain worship, reflecting the deep spiritual connection between Japa...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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