The main belief system of the Japanese people is called Shintoism. Shinto is more than a religious faith. It is an amalgam of attitudes, ideas, and ways of doing things that through two millenniums have become an integral part of … Read More
If you plan on visiting many temples and shrines in Japan, I recommend purchasing a goshuin first. The literal translation of ‘goshuin’ is “the honorable red stamp notebook.” For further explanation, the goshuin is a notebook made for collecting … Read More
Shiba Daijingu and Shiba Toshogu For those who do not speak Japanese, the names of shrines and temples can be very confusing. Some have several names and some sound similar to others. For example, Shiba Daijingu and Shiba Toshoyu. … Read More
When visiting Tokyo, there are five major shrines in which to visit. These shrines are the Meiji Jingu, Yasukuni Jinja, Hie Jinja, Ohkunitama Jinja, and the Tokyo Daijingu. The Tokyo Daijingu is given the nickname “O-Ise-Sama in Tokyo” due … Read More
One of the most famous names in Japanese history would be Sugawara no Michizane. This name is known all over Japan, thus considered as much of a household name as Ieyasu Tokugawa. Sugawara no Michizane is enshrined in hundreds of … Read More
Toward the right side of the entrance to the Shinagawa Shrine is a long path of vermillion torii gates. This pathway leads to the Ana Inari Shrine, which sits to the back right side of the Shinagawa Shrine. Passing through … Read More
While it is common to find a shrine and a temple sharing the same property, it is also common to find more than one shrine occupying the same place. For foreigners, this can be somewhat confusing, especially because most … Read More
If you frequent Japanese Shinto shrines, you may have noticed that they are commonly placed in forests or are at least filled with many trees or other objects of nature. This is because the Shinto religion believes in “kami,” … Read More
Unless you are from Japan, the area of Shinbashi is likely unknown to you. This is because the city is crowded to the brim with business offices, something that does not attract tourists. However, despite Shinbashi’s crowded business-world atmosphere, … Read More
Imagine you are going out to dinner at your favorite Chinese or Japanese restaurant. What is the first thing you see as you approach the entrance? Most commonly, you’ll find a pair of statues flanking each side of … Read More
In front of every Japanese Shinto shrine there lay a gate made of two vertical posts connected by two posts on top. These gates are called “torii gates” and they are one of the defining characteristics of a Shinto … Read More
Out of all of the Tenmangu Shrines, the Hirakawa Tenmangu lies closest to the Imperial Palace. Its location helps it to attract many visitors, especially people who came to visit the palace and gardens. It is extremely common for people … Read More