Shinto Shrines

Shrines are the places where religious ceremony and events occur. There are almost 10,000 shrines of various sizes and significance in Japan. Alternatively a shrine is any purified site capable of housing a kami, which can qualify anything from something from a large multi-building complex for major kami, to a simple home shrine that is the size of a cupboard for minor kami.

Physical Layout

Tiers of Sacredness - Each gateway you walk through marks an increasing sacredness for a total of 5 tiers. The first tier is outside of the shrine grounds, which is considered sacred in so far as Japanese believes their nation is a sacred place, though it is not as sacred as temple space. Tier two is the space between the first two torii gates, and the surrounding forest. Tier three is between the second torii gate and the walls of the inner shrine complex. Tier four is the area inside the walls and the worship hall. Lastly tier five is the sanctuary.
Torii Gates - A red archway that represents an entry into the temple grounds. There are two of them that mark the path to the temple, along with the purification fountain. This area is the second tier of sacredness.
Sacred Forest - This only applies to shrines and temples that are not inside cities where a forest is not possible. The forest surrounding a shrine is sacred ground which means that logging, hunting, farming, and development is not allowed. The forest also acts as an outer perimeter to ward yokai through the use of Shide on shimenawa tied around the trees in the forest.
Purification Fountain - A fountain where visitors must wash their hands and mouth before entering the second gate.
Komainu - Guardian dog statues which ward any yokai away that made it through the outer perimeter.
Sacred Fence/Wall - A last line of defense against yokai before they breach the inner shrine complex. These walls are typically protected by a series of ofuda that are made and periodically swapped out by the shrine maiden of the temple. Within the walls are where the shrine activities occur, such as martial training for monks, or various outdoor activities.
Worship Hall - Where the public will gather for worship and events, and where the priest will speak to them.
Sanctuary - Where the priest and shrine maidens commune with the kami. This is the most sacred space, and the only place where the kami may be directly communed with. Only those the priest allows may enter. Within this sanctuary will likely be golden statues of the local kami

Notable Shrines

Meiji Jingu Shrine (Tokyo)

Dedicated to the great emperor of the restoration, Meiji Jingu is home to The Four Sages who operate there in secret

Iwagata Shrine (Hokkaido)

Home of the small Kamiyoki community. The kamiyoki are descendants of a few family lines whose bodies act as shrines and pass along family kami capable of dwelling within them and giving them power.

Tottoshima Shrine (Tottoshima)

Home of the Senshi Miko of Tottoshima Temple, an order of shrine maidens that specialize in combining their spiritual power with martial combat skills like swordfighting and archery

Yasukuni (Tokyo)

It is believed that Yasukuni shrine is where the spirits of the Sosukese war dead go to rest. Their ghosts can be visited and honored at this shrine. Dwelling here in the afterlife is a goal for many passionate young soldiers ready to die in combat for the emperor. Because of this shrine's special function, it is often an icon and rallying point for members of the Japanese military

Tsukiyama Shrine (Hokkaido)

Tsukiyama shrine is a temple at the top of tsukiyama mountain in Hokkaido. Within this shrine is the single altar that allows Moon Rabbits, or anyone else to reach Luneste. This altar is defended by moon rabbits who ensure uninvited guests aren't able to sneak into Luneste