Religious buildings in Japan are mostly of two types: Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Both of these religions have coexisted since the 6th century. A typical Japanese person will visit both shrines and temples.

Shrine



Temple



In a shrine, the god of the shrine is worshipped. In a temple, the Buddha is worshipped. We go to the shrines to celebrate a beginning, like New Year’s Day or a birth. We go to the temple to commemorate endings, like New Year’s Eve or funerals. Kyoto is home to many shrines and temples. As of 2014, 16 religious buildings have the UNESCO World Heritage designation.



【Movie】Grand Ise Shrine