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
Kawa Shrine
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River and water deitiesKawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to water and river deities, reflecting Japan's deep reveren...
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Kifune Shrine
Yamaguchi
Takaokami-no-kamiKifune Shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture is dedicated to water deities and is associated with prayers f...
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Kifune Shrine
Oita
Takaokami-no-kamiKifune Shrine in Oita Prefecture is dedicated to water deities and serves as an important spiritual...
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Muroyosui Shrine
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Water deity associated with irrigationA local shrine dedicated to water deities, likely established to honor and ensure the protection of...
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Ryusui Shrine
Kochi
Dragon water deityA local shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to water and dragon deities. The name Ryusui literally...
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Takamizu Shrine
Yamaguchi
Water deitiesTakamizu Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to water deities. The name 'Tak...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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