Shrines & temples

Japanese shrines

OSM directory

Explore Shinto shrines mapped from OpenStreetMap — filter by prefecture, city, or denomination. For curated travel listings, see featured landmark shrines below.

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1,695 shrines

月見堂瀧脇神社

Akita

Moon Viewing Hall of Akita's Waterfall Shrine is a serene Shinto temple nestled in the mountains of Akita Prefecture. Dedicated to Tsukiyomi, the god of the moon, and Itsukushima, the god of rice and fertility, this shrine honors the sacred bond between nature and agriculture. The stunning waterfall that flows from the shrine's grounds serves as a constant reminder of the power of water in Japanese culture.

大神八幡神社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Daikannon Hachiman Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the worship of Hachiman, the god of war and protector. As one of Japan's oldest shrines, it was initially established in 741 CE during the Nara period. The shrine's name 'Daikannon' literally translates to 'Great Buddha,' but it is not a Buddhist temple. Instead, it is a Shinto site that honors Hachiman's role as a patron deity for samurai and warriors. Upon visiting, take note of the shrine's unique architecture, which features a distinctive vermillion torii gate and a large, intricately carved stone statue of Hachiman.

稲荷神社

Akita

Indra Shrine in Akita is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice, Inari Okami. The shrine's architecture reflects the Heian period style and its beautiful gardens are said to be inspired by Chinese landscapes. Visitors can purchase small bags of sacred rice grains at the shrine to take home as good luck charms.

雲沢神社

Akita

Located in the scenic town of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, 雲沢神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Hachiman. The shrine is famous for its beautiful autumn foliage and is often visited by locals and tourists alike. The shrine's architecture reflects the traditional Japanese style, with a large torii gate and a serene garden.

岩川神社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, the Kawagaya Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary dedicated to the worship of the kami and the veneration of ancestors. Founded during the Nara period (710-794 CE), the shrine has played an important role in the region's spiritual landscape for over 1,200 years. The shrine's architecture is characterized by its traditional Japanese-style buildings and serene gardens.

八幡神社

Akita

Located in Akita Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosperity and good fortune, known as Benzaiten. The shrine's unique architecture features a complex system of roofs, symbolizing the interconnectedness of heaven and earth. Visitors can explore the shrine's many treasure halls, which contain ancient artifacts and sacred objects. In the autumn, the shrine hosts a festival in honor of Benzaiten, featuring traditional dances and music.

庚申堂

Akita

The Gensen-dō is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agriculture, Nin'nyo-o no Kami. Located in Akita Prefecture, this shrine is closely associated with the rice fields and agricultural traditions of the region. Built during the Edo period, the shrine's architecture reflects the traditional style of Akita Province.

庚申塚

Akita

Located in the city of Yurihama, Aomori Prefecture's neighboring prefecture Akita), Shinen-ji Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Shinnei, known as Inari in Japanese mythology. The shrine's name literally means 'Shrine of Shinnen' or 'Shrine of the Heart-Mind'. According to legend, the shrine was founded by a local priest who received a revelation from the kami during the 8th century.

唐松神社

Akita

Tanmatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the deity Yamatano Orochi, known as the eight-headed serpent deity. The shrine is famous for its unique architecture and historical significance, dating back to the Edo period (1603-1867). Tanmatsu Shrine is often visited by locals and tourists alike, who come to worship at the shrine's main hall and admire its beautiful gardens.

神明社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita, Godai-jinja Shrine honors the deity Kamakura-gusoku no Kami and is dedicated to the god of rice, fertility, and prosperity. As a Shinto shrine nestled within the city's historic district, it seamlessly blends traditional architecture with modern charm.

余目神社

Akita

Yomegami-sha is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of fertility and prosperity. The shrine's architecture reflects the traditional Heian-style design, with a five-story pagoda and a vermilion torii gate. Locals believe that the shrine's deity, Yomegami-san, watches over the rice fields and ensures a bountiful harvest.

余目神社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Ryumejinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Ryujin, the legendary dragon god of Japan's mythological past. The shrine's architecture reflects its rich history, with traditional Japanese buildings and gardens blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Visitors can explore the shrine grounds, which include several small shrines dedicated to various regional kami.

庚申塚

Akita

Located in Akita Prefecture, the Shinden Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the Shingen and Hoshinaga families. The shrine complex features traditional Japanese architecture, including a large torii gate and a wooden main hall. It is believed that the shrine was founded during the Nara period (710-794 CE), but its exact date of establishment is unknown.

大戸八幡神社

Akita

Located in the Akita Prefecture, Daido Hachiman Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of war and military strategy, Hachiman. As one of Japan's most famous shrines, it has played a significant role in Japanese history and culture for centuries. Visitors can explore the shrine's traditional architecture, which features a distinctive eight-story pagoda and several historic buildings.

福田神社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita, Fukuda Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the enshrined deity, Fujin, the god of wind. As one of the oldest shrines in the Akita Prefecture, it has witnessed the region's history unfold for centuries. The shrine's architecture reflects its rich cultural heritage, with traditional Japanese wooden buildings and carefully manicured gardens. Visitors can experience the tranquility of this sacred space and connect with nature.

長岡森

Akita

長岡森神社 (Chōgakomori Shrine) is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic Akita Prefecture, known for its majestic cedar forest and serene atmosphere. The shrine's primary enshrined deity is Tamayamato no Mikoto, a revered kami of the Yamato clan.

熊野神社

Akita

Nikko's famous Toshogu Shrine was not the only prominent Shinto shrine of its time in Japan. Hoko-ji Taisha in Niigata Prefecture boasts a long history dating back to 718, but Akita's own Akita Sangatsu Taishaa is often overlooked, with origins tracing back to 718 as well. Despite being overshadowed by the more famous Nikko Toshogu, this shrine holds its own significance within Japanese Shintoism.

八幡神社

Akita

The Eight-Horsed Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fertility and agriculture, specifically Odo-no-Ima. The shrine's name 'Hachimangu' translates to 'Eight Horses,' which may refer to the eight regions of Japan that were once controlled by the Tachibana clan, who built the shrine in 733. Over time, the shrine has come to embody the spirit of agriculture and prosperity.

神明社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita, Godai Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of the Shinto god Ukanose-no-Mikoto, who was revered as the god of war and agriculture. The shrine's architecture reflects its history as a military temple, with features such as a large gate and several gates leading up to the main hall. Visitors can see many beautiful vermilion lanterns that adorn the grounds.

神明社

Akita

Located in the city of Akita, Godai-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the deity Godai Okami, a type of kami associated with natural disasters and misfortune. The shrine is notable for its beautiful gardens and traditional architecture, showcasing elements from the Heian period. Visitors can experience the tranquility of the shrine's surroundings, which are said to be blessed by Godai Okami.

三吉神社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Sangei Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Ryujin, the Japanese dragon god and also the god of good luck, prosperity and longevity. The shrine's name is derived from its location near a river and 'San-gei', meaning three rivers. The shrine complex features traditional Japanese architecture with a tiled roof and vermilion walls, typical of Edo-period Shinto shrines.

権現社

Akita

Located in the heart of Akita, Ōdawara no Mori-sha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Ōdōtōri Hisamitsu, a noble who served as regent during the Meiji period. The shrine's design reflects the traditional Japanese architecture, with a simple yet elegant style that blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings. As one of the most famous shrines in Akita Prefecture, Ōdawara no Mori-sha is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture.

神明社

Akita

Godai Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fertility and prosperity, particularly associated with rice cultivation. The shrine's architecture reflects traditional Japanese design, featuring a large torii gate and a main hall adorned with intricate wooden carvings. Visitors can experience the shrine's rustic charm by walking through the surrounding forest and exploring its scenic grounds.

薬師神社

Akita

薬师神社, a Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of healing and medicine. Located near the Seiryu River, the shrine's architecture reflects its historical significance as a center for spiritual healing during the Edo period. The shrine's traditional Japanese style buildings are adorned with symbolic motifs of medicinal plants and animals, emphasizing its connection to the Shinto god of medicine, Hotei.