Here you’ll find 5 Japanese gods that start with R, organized from “Raiden” to “Ryūō”. These entries cover storm and thunder kami, dragon and water figures, and regional folk deities. Use this list for study, writing, shrine visits, or quick reference.

Japanese gods that start with R are deities and spirit figures in Shinto and Japanese folklore. Their names all begin with the letter R, and many reflect elemental powers or local traditions.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Reading, Domain, Symbols, and Major Shrine.

Name: Lists the deity’s common English or romanized name, so you can identify who each entry refers to.

Reading: Shows Hepburn romanization and pronunciation guides so you can sort alphabetically and say names accurately.

Domain: Gives a concise description of the deity’s role or sphere, helping you understand their primary function.

Symbols: Lists one to three common iconographic items or motifs you can use to recognize or research the deity.

Major Shrine: Names a principal shrine or location associated with the deity, useful if you plan shrine visits or deeper research.

Japanese gods that start with R

NameJapanese (Kanji/Kana)Romanization (Hepburn)Domain & Symbols
Raijin雷神(らいじん)RaijinThunder & storms; symbols: drums, lightning bolts
Raiden雷電(らいでん)RaidenLightning & thunder; symbols: lightning, shrine cults
Ryūjin龍神/竜神(りゅうじん)RyūjinSea & tides; symbols: dragon, tide-jewel (magatama)
Ryūō龍王/竜王(りゅうおう)RyūōDragon king; symbols: dragon, water
Rokuhara Myōjin六波羅明神(ろくはらみょうじん)Rokuhara MyōjinGuardian kami; symbols: protective talismans, shrine rites

Descriptions

Raijin
Iconic Japanese thunder god, often shown beating drums to make thunder. Associated with storms, lightning, and protection from disaster; appears widely in shrine cults and art alongside wind deity Fujin.
Raiden
A common name/local cult form of the lightning deity, worshiped at Raiden shrines for protection and agricultural blessings. Often conflated with or treated as an aspect of Raijin.
Ryūjin
Dragon god of the sea who controls tides and weather. Keeper of the tide-jewel and ruler of the undersea palace Ryūgū-jō; invoked for safe sea travel and plentiful catches.
Ryūō
Dragon King figure in Buddhist and folk belief, syncretically worshiped in Japan as a water and rain deity. Invoked for fisheries, irrigation, and protection from floods.
Rokuhara Myōjin
A local guardian kami associated with the Rokuhara area of Kyoto, prominent in Heian–Kamakura eras. Worshiped for protection and military success, reflecting Shinto–Buddhist syncretism.
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