When traveling around Japan, it’s common to stumble upon beautiful religious sites—some with bright red gates, others with large wooden halls filled with incense.
Many visitors wonder: are these all the same? Actually, no. Japan has two main types of traditional religious sites: shrines and temples.
Let’s explore what makes them different, and how you can tell them apart on your next visit!
Index
Two Different Religions
Japan is home to two major religious traditions that coexist peacefully:
- Shinto: The native spirituality of Japan.
- Buddhism: Introduced from India through China and Korea.
- Shrines “called jinja in Japanese” are places of Shinto worship.
- Temples “tera or otera” are centers for Buddhist practice.
You’ll often find both in the same city—or even side by side!
How to Spot the Difference
Here’s a simple comparison to help you recognize them:
| Feature | Shrine “Jinja“ | Temple “Otera“ |
|---|---|---|
| Gate | Torii “a red or wooden archway at the entrance” | Sanmon “a large wooden gate” |
| Symbol | Shimenawa “a sacred straw rope” | Buddhist statues or images of Buddha |
| Guardians | Animals like foxes “kitsune“, lions, or dogs | Fierce warrior statues “Niō” or Buddha statues |
| Atmosphere | Often outdoors and surrounded by nature | More structured buildings with incense and altars |
| Prayers | Clap your hands and bow | Bow and light incense or chant |
The general manner of worship at shrines
At first, make a money offering “Japanese people often put a 5 yen coin in the money offering to Goenn’御縁- good connection’. Of course, it is also good luck to put in a lot of money.”
Second, “nirei ni hakusyu ichirei ‘two bow, two claps, one bow'”.
This means to bow twice “ni-rei”, then clap twice “ni-hakusyu”, and finally bow once “ichi-rei” again.
Torii
Sanmon
Komainu “Photo is fox”
Niou zou
Purpose and Practices
- Shrines honor kami, which are gods or spirits tied to nature, ancestors, or certain places.
- Temples are dedicated to Buddhist figures and focus on teachings about life, death, and rebirth.
Japanese people might visit a shrine to pray for success, love, or good luck, and a temple to remember ancestors or seek spiritual guidance.
Names Can Help, Too
Shrines and temples often include helpful clues in their names:
- If the name ends in -jinja, -taisha, or -gu, it’s likely a shrine.
- If it ends in -ji, -dera, or -in, it’s usually a temple.
For example:
- Meiji Jingu → Shrine
- Senso-ji → Temple
Meiji Jingu
Senso-ji
Can You Visit Both?
Of course! Most Japanese people visit both shrines and temples throughout the year.
- Shrines are popular during New Year’s and wedding ceremonies.
- Temples are visited during funerals, memorials, and Buddhist holidays.
There’s no conflict—many people even keep charms “omamori” from both!
Conclusion
Knowing the difference between shrines and temples adds a new layer of understanding to your journey in Japan.
Next time you see a red gate or smell incense drifting through the air, you’ll know exactly where you are—and why it matters.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore why there’s a water basin “手水舎’tyouzuya'” at every shrine!
P.S.
I love Japanese history, so I visit shrines and temples all over the place.
The most famous shrines are Izumo Taisha and Ise Jingu,
Ryoanji Temple and Todaiji Temple are famous as temples.
Of course, I go to all of them “lol”.
またね(Matane)!
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