Various Religions In Japan

Although Buddhism and Christianity have their followers in Japan, the majority of the population follow the Shinto religion. Shintoism itself is not so much a religion as a philosophy, inextricably linked with animism, nature-worship and myths. The Shinto belief acknowledges the existence and supremacy of the gods, and is embodied in a number of shrines throughout the country, such as Ise Jungu, near Nagoya. It is, however, very closely linked with nature as a whole- forests, mountains, volcanoes, and so on.

What might seem strange to many foreigners is the fact that the majority of Japanese follow different religious ceremonies for different occasions- weddings are usually Shinto ceremonies, while funerals are generally Buddhist. The most common form of Buddhism in Japan is Zen Buddhism, which believes in the existence of an enlightened being called 'Amida’, who carries a promise of salvation similar to that of Christianity.