Shinto shrine
Japanese Name:
神社
Romaji Name:
jinja
Description
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A shrine, or "jinja" in Japanese, is a sacred place dedicated to the worship of gods or spirits called kami in Shinto, Japan’s traditional religion. Shrines often have a torii gate at the entrance and are visited for prayers, festivals, and rituals.
History
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Shinto shrines have existed in Japan for over a thousand years, with origins tracing back to ancient nature worship and early Shinto practices. Early shrines were simple structures near sacred natural sites such as mountains, rivers, or trees. Over time, shrines became more formalized, with buildings, gates (torii), and rituals developed to honor specific kami.
Today, shrines are central to Japanese culture, hosting annual festivals (matsuri), ceremonies like weddings and New Year prayers, and serving as places of community and spiritual connection.