Religiousity

Although you wouldn't know it in temple- and shrine-saturated Kyoto, most people in Japan aren't religious. At least two thirds tell pollsters they do not consider themselves believers in any religion. Those that do almost always follow either Buddhism or Shinto, or a kind of flexible, complex combination of the two. Shinto is the ancient, indigenous, nature-based polytheistic religion of Japan. Buddhism arrived from China via the Korean Peninsula in the sixth century and eventually came to dominate. What is interesting is how accommodating each religion has been to the other, such that you can often find a Shinto shrine in a Buddhist temple complex. Minority religions like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism have a presence in this country with full religious freedom, but their presence is only a small one. Only about 1% of the population, for instance, are Christians.

The Japanese people – even the non-religious ones – enjoy participating in rituals and ceremonies derived from various religious traditions as part of their culture, even if they don't take the underlying religious beliefs too seriously. Births are often marked by a formal ceremony at a Shinto shrine, as is the passage into adulthood. Weddings are often performed by Shinto priests, but often in a Western-style ceremony at the chapel of a luxury hotel, with reception to follow in the same facility. Funerals are usually conducted by Buddhist priests. Many Japanese also celebrate Christmas, Valentine's Day and Halloween in addition to the holidays of Shinto and Buddhist origin, as well as many secular holidays. Any excuse for a party I guess.

From the perspective of a non-religious tourist, I'm very glad that the Japanese have managed to maintain a tolerance for irreligion and science while still preserving the beautiful architectural and cultural legacy of its religious heritage. Best of both worlds in my view.

 Every Shinto Shrine has one of these Torii gates marking the entrance

 At Fushimi-Inari Shrine they have literally hundreds, closely spaced, which form these corridors.

 Worshipers at Fushimi-Inari.  They follow a specific sequence of ritual hand and mouth washing, offering, bowing, ringing the bell, more bowing, clapping, more bowing, etc.

 At Fushimi-Inari.

 Graceful temple architecture.

 The Buddhists are pretty good gardeners as well.

 Buddhist Fish.

 Shinto Priest

 Buddhist Monk - not a good career choice if you are into your hair.

 Todai-ji Temple's Daibatsu-den in the city of Nara.  This is the largest wooden building in the world.  Amazingly, the present structure, which was rebuilt in 1709, is only two thirds the size of the original.

 You need a building that big to house a Buddha this big.  This one is over 50 feet (16 m) tall and is one of the largest bronze figures in the world.

 These tiny shines (probably not the right term) are found all over Kyoto.  The swastika-like symbol actually dates back to ancient India and has been used as a sacred symbol in Buddhism for centuries.  One of Hitler's marketing hacks had an interest in ancient philosophies and encouraged its adoption (albeit as the mirror image) as a symbol of the Nazi Party, thereby ruining it for everyone.

 Plum blossoms are appearing, only enhancing the beautiful temple buildings.