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Japanese religion, the religious beliefs and practices of the Japanese people. There is no single dominant religion in Japan. Several religious and quasi-religious systems, including Shinto, Confucianism, and Buddhism, exist side by side, and plurality of religious affiliation is common in Japan.
- Tenrikyō
Tenrikyō, (Japanese: “Religion of Divine Wisdom”), largest...
- Society of the Divine Word
Divine Word Missionary, a Roman Catholic religious...
- Kamidana
kamidana, (Japanese: “god-shelf”), in the Shintō religion of...
- Kegon
Kegon, Buddhist philosophical tradition introduced into...
- Sarvastivadins
Sarvastivada, a school of early Buddhism.A fundamental...
- Hōryū Temple
Hōryū Temple, Japanese Buddhist temple complex in the town...
- Jōjitsu
Jōjitsu, minor school of Buddhist philosophy introduced into...
- Shinbutsu Shūgō
Shinbutsu shūgō, in Japan, amalgamation of Buddhism with the...
- Tenrikyō
Religion in Japan is manifested primarily in Shinto and in Buddhism, the two main faiths, which Japanese people often practice simultaneously. According to estimates, as many as 70% of the populace follow Shinto rituals to some degree, worshiping ancestors and spirits at domestic altars and public shrines.
Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century. Since then, the two religions have been co-existing relatively harmoniously and have even complemented each other to a certain degree.
Shintō, indigenous religious beliefs and practices of Japan. The word Shintō, which literally means “the way of kami” (generally sacred or divine power, specifically the various gods or deities), came into use in order to distinguish indigenous Japanese beliefs from Buddhism, which had been introduced into Japan in the 6th century ce.
Japan - Shinto, Buddhism, Animism: The indigenous religion of Japan, Shintō, coexists with various sects of Buddhism, Christianity, and some ancient shamanistic practices, as well as a number of “new religions” (shinkō shukyō) that have emerged since the 19th century.
The main religions in Japan are Buddhism (69.8%) and Shinto (70.4%). Most Japanese people identify as members of both faiths. The other main religious denominations in Japan are Christianity (1.4%) and other (6.9%), which includes Islam, animism, Judaism, Hindu, and the Baha’i Faith.
According to Article 20 of the Japanese constitution, Japan grants full religious freedom, allowing minority religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism to be practiced. These religions account for roughly 5-10% of Japan's population.
