Temples & Shrines
Temples and shrines are still central to the rituals of Japanese life, helping to maintain a Japanese identity throughout a century of immense change. New Year celebrations, elaborate wedding ceremonies, dignified funerals, and riotous festivals keep people in touch with their past as well as establishing a sense of place and community.
Shrines and temples often overlap in Japan, a country where indigenous Shinto gods, or kami, and Buddhist saints are equally revered. Shrines can be identified by their distinctive torii gates marking the entrance; Buddhist temples are famed for their gardens but can be more easily identified by their peaceful graveyards.