Refers specifically to a Shinto shrine, a place of worship in Japan's indigenous religion. Often used in proper names (e.g., 春日大社).
村の外れに古い社がある。
There is an old shrine on the outskirts of the village.
I visited a famous shrine for the first shrine visit of the year.
They built a small shrine deep in the mountains.
The local deity is enshrined at this shrine.