Religion in Japan is a unique blend of various faiths, and many Japanese people do not consider themselves exclusive followers of any one religion. Instead, they take teachings and practices from different beliefs and integrate them in a way that suits them. The indigenous Shinto beliefs form the foundation for many people’s spiritual practices, but elements of Buddhism are also incorporated, creating a religious landscape that is uniquely Japanese.
Japan enjoys full religious freedom, as enshrined in its constitution, which ensures respect for all religions without granting any special treatment or political power. While all the world’s major religions—and many smaller ones—are practiced in Japan, Buddhism is the only one with a significant following beyond Shinto.
Shinto and Buddhist holidays are widely observed, alongside some Christian celebrations like Christmas, though often in a more secular context.
Shinto
Shinto, Japan’s indigenous belief system, dates back to prehistoric times. Unlike many religions, Shinto does not have a central holy book or a singular god. Instead, it focuses on spiritual connections between the present and Japan’s ancient past. Shinto beliefs are based on folklore, mythology, and historical narratives, some involving human figures and others revolving around natural forces. There are three key concepts in Shinto: impurity, purification, and the afterlife.
The earliest recorded evidence of Shinto dates back to the 8th century, although the name itself came much later. Today, an estimated 90% of Japanese people follow or at least observe some Shinto practices. Rather than functioning as a structured religion, Shinto is more of a cultural and spiritual way of life, consisting of rituals, traditions, and lessons. It is common for individuals to observe both Shinto and another religion, such as Buddhism, without conflict.
Central to Shinto is the concept of kami, or spiritual essence. There are millions of kami, including deities of the sun, moon, wind, water, and rice. Even the first emperor of Japan is said to be a descendant of a kami.
Japan has approximately 80,000 Shinto shrines, easily recognizable by their large torii gates, which are often made of wood and mark the entrance to sacred grounds. Stone lanterns also commonly line the pathways leading to the shrine buildings. Visiting a shrine does not require one to be a follower of Shinto, and many Japanese people visit only for special occasions, such as New Year’s celebrations, harvest festivals, Coming of Age Day, and the Shichi-Go-San festival for children. These events attract thousands of visitors, many dressed in traditional attire.
Shinto weddings are also popular and often held at shrines. These ceremonies are known for their elegance, with the wedding party and guests donning exquisite kimonos.
There are important customs and etiquette involved in visiting a Shinto shrine in Japan, which you can read more about in the Useful Tips section.
Buddhism
Buddhism arrived in Japan from Korea and China around the 6th century and grew in prominence alongside Japan’s increasing prosperity. At one point, it became so influential that it nearly overtook Shinto as Japan’s dominant belief system. However, because the two faiths had few major contradictions, they were able to coexist peacefully.
In some cases, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples were even built next to each other, leading to a blended belief system called Shinbutsu Shūgō, where aspects of both religions influenced each other. Many Japanese people still practice elements of both faiths today.
When Emperor Meiji came to power in 1868, he attempted to enforce a separation of Shinto and Buddhism under a policy known as State Shinto. This separation remained in place until the end of World War II.
Despite the historical efforts to divide them, Shinto and Buddhism continue to complement each other in modern Japan. Many Buddhist and Shinto rituals have merged, particularly for funerals, where Buddhist customs tend to take precedence due to Shinto’s views on death as impure.
One of Japan’s most significant Buddhist celebrations is Obon, also known as the Festival of the Dead. During Obon, families return to their ancestors’ graves, as it is believed that spirits temporarily return to the world of the living. At the festival’s conclusion, lanterns are floated down rivers to guide the spirits back to the afterlife.
Christianity
Christianity was first introduced to Japan in 1542 by Portuguese missionaries, who also brought gunpowder and other Western goods. Catholic missionaries successfully converted many Japanese people, particularly in Nagasaki, which became the centre of Christianity in Japan.
However, by 1597, Christianity was viewed as a threat, and 26 missionaries were executed as a warning. In 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu banned the religion entirely, seeing it as a danger to the sovereignty, culture, and beliefs of the Shogunate. Despite the ban, underground Christian communities continued to practice in secret.
This suppression of Christianity was one of the factors that led to the Sakoku (seclusion) policy in the 1630s, which effectively closed Japan’s borders. Under Sakoku, no one was allowed to enter or leave Japan, and violators faced the death penalty. As a result, Christian missionaries were expelled, and Christianity did not resurface openly in Japan until well after the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
Today, Japan enjoys full religious freedom, but Christianity remains a minority religion, with only about 1% of the population identifying as Christian. Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism have similarly small followings.
Despite its small Christian population, Japan has embraced many Christian traditions in a secular manner. Christmas is widely celebrated with festive lights, Santa Claus decorations, and gift-giving—though it is more of a romantic holiday for couples than a religious occasion. Valentine’s Day is also popular, but with the custom reversed: women give chocolates to men.
Surprisingly, Easter remains virtually unknown in Japan, despite the country’s love of anthropomorphic rabbits and themed merchandise. The commercial potential of Easter eggs and fluffy toy bunnies has yet to be realized.
Christian-style weddings have also become a major trend in Japan. Many hotels and wedding venues have built faux Christian chapels where couples can have Western-style ceremonies, complete with white gowns and tuxedos.
In some cases, Christian iconography has been reinterpreted in ways that might seem unusual elsewhere. For example, a restaurant chain called Christon Café, found in Shinjuku, Osaka, and Fukuoka, is styled as a gothic, church-themed restaurant. The décor features religious artifacts, stained glass windows, candles, and even private confession boxes. Organ music plays in the background, and the menu—designed in the shape of a crucifix—offers creatively named dishes and religious-themed cocktails. The venue has become popular for weddings and among Japan’s gothic subculture.
