Religion in Japan

Shinto
Buddhism
Shrines
Temples
Christianity

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The Japanese have a different relation to religions than most other peoples do. This may be mostly due to the fact that Shinto and Buddhism, the two major Japanese religions, always could exist side by side and even melted together to a certain grade: Most Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or Shinto-Buddhist.

In today's everyday life of a Japanese person, religion is not important. The average Japanese just follows the religious rituals at some ceremonies such as birth, weddings or funerals.

Shinto
One of the two major religions in Japan.
Buddhism
The other major religion in Japan.
Shrines
Shinto Shrines.
Temples
Buddhist temples.
Christianity
About Christianity in Japan.

Wedding
About Japanese weddings.
Funerals
About Japanese funerals.
Festivals
About Japanese festivals (Matsuri).
New Year
Most imporatant holiday in Japan.

RELIGION IN JAPAN

Shinto and Buddhism: Wellsprings of Japanese Spirituality (AskAsia Home Page)
Religions and mentality of the Japanese.
Japanese religions (Genich Nishio's Home Page)
General information.
Religions in Japan (Miki's Homepage)
General information.

September 20, 1997
In Deutsch