Here you’ll find 10 Japanese gods that start with U, organized from “Ugajin” to “Uzume”. They range from major Shinto kami to regional folk deities often linked to fertility, protection, and ritual performance. Use this list for study, storytelling, or planning shrine visits.

Japanese gods that start with U are a small but varied group of Shinto kami and local spirits. They include famous figures like Uzume, whose dance lured the sun goddess Amaterasu back into the world.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Reading, Kanji, Domain, Symbols, and Notes.

Name: The primary romanized name of the deity, helping you identify and reference each figure quickly.

Reading: The Hepburn pronunciation guide, so you can pronounce names and alphabetize entries consistently.

Kanji: The Japanese characters associated with the deity, useful when you search shrine pages or inscriptions.

Domain: A concise label of the deity’s sphere of influence, helping you find gods by role or theme.

Symbols: One to three common iconographic items, so you can recognize the deity in art and at shrines.

Notes: Short context such as myth highlights, major shrines, or regional ties, aiding deeper research or travel plans.

Japanese gods that start with U

NameDomainSymbolsSource
Ukemochi no Kami (保食神)Food, agriculture, sustenanceGrains, seeds, food offeringsNihon Shoki
Ukanomitama no Kami (倉稲魂命)Rice, grain, prosperityRice stalks, fox, sakeKojiki
Uzume (天宇受売命)Dawn, mirth, performing artsDance, mirror, sakaki branchesKojiki
Ugajin (宇賀神)Harvest, fertility, fortuneWhite snake with human head, jewelFolk tradition
Uhijini no Kami (泥土煮神)Primordial earth, mudEarth, mudKojiki
Utsushikunitama no Kami (宇都志国玉神)Spirit of the land, protectionLand, territoryKojiki
Uwatsutsu no O no Mikoto (上筒男命)Sea, sailing, purificationShip, ocean waves, saltKojiki
Umashiashikabihikoji no Kami (宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神)Creation, life force, energyReed shootKojiki
Ura (温羅)Kibi Province (local spirit)Cauldron, ironKibitsu Shrine legend
Umisachihiko (海幸彦)Fishing, sea bountyFishhook, fishing rod, sea creaturesKojiki

Descriptions

Ukemochi no Kami (保食神)
The goddess of food. In myth, she produced food from her body, which angered another god, leading to her death. From her remains, the staple grains and animals of Japan emerged.
Ukanomitama no Kami (倉稲魂命)
A central kami of agriculture and rice, widely worshipped across Japan’s thousands of Inari shrines. This deity, often conflated with Inari, ensures bountiful harvests and business success.
Uzume (天宇受売命)
The goddess of dawn and revelry. She famously performed a wild, comical dance to lure the sun goddess Amaterasu out of a cave, restoring light and laughter to the world.
Ugajin (宇賀神)
A folk deity of fortune, often shown as a white snake with a human head. Frequently found in shrines dedicated to Benzaiten, blending Shinto and Buddhist beliefs to bring prosperity.
Uhijini no Kami (泥土煮神)
An early primordial deity from the first seven generations of kami. Paired with the goddess Suhijini, they represent the formation of the earth from primeval mud and sand.
Utsushikunitama no Kami (宇都志国玉神)
A son of the great earth kami Ōkuninushi. His name translates to “Spirit of the Living Land,” and he is revered as a protector of specific regions and their people.
Uwatsutsu no O no Mikoto (上筒男命)
One of the three great Sumiyoshi kami, born when the creator god Izanagi washed himself in the sea. He is a powerful protector of sailors, fishermen, and maritime travel.
Umashiashikabihikoji no Kami (宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神)
A primordial kami who emerged “like a reed-shoot” at the beginning of creation. This deity represents the raw, burgeoning energy and life force that shaped the universe.
Ura (温羅)
A legendary giant or demon prince of Kibi Province, sometimes viewed as a powerful local deity. After being defeated by a hero, he was enshrined and is now worshipped as a pacified god.
Umisachihiko (海幸彦)
Known as “Luck of the Sea,” this kami was a masterful fisherman. He is famous for the myth where he quarreled with his younger brother, Yamasachihiko, over a lost magical fishhook.
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