Shinto shrine precincts
Specifically refers to the sacred grounds of a Shinto shrine, considered the dwelling place of the kami.
Quiet behavior is expected within the shrine precincts.
holy precincts; sanctuary
A broader, more general term for any sacred or inviolable area, not limited to Shinto.
This forest has been protected as a sanctuary since ancient times.
神域 emphasizes the sacred, spiritually set-apart nature of a shrine's land, while 境内 is the more neutral, everyday term for the same physical grounds.
Compound of 神 (shin, 'god, deity') and 域 (iki, 'area, region'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used to denote sacred spaces in Shinto contexts.