templesandshrines
At portent times such as the new year, Japanese people often wait in long lines at shrines to draw a special kind of fortune known as an omikuji (御神籤). In the past before significant events, lots would be drawn to determine whether the venture would be blessed by the spirits. The final part of the word, kuji meaning a lottery, is apt as omikuji involves drawing a numbered stick from a container. The number refers to the fortune you will be given and how much luck you will receive. These days, other styles also exist, ranging from the relatively common pulling a folded piece of paper from a con...
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Jinja (shrines) are everywhere in Japan—more than 100,000! They’re not hard to spot. The entryway to a shrine is marked by a large torii (gate). This is in contrast to Buddhist temples that do not have torii gates. Once you pass through the torii, you’ll know you’re in a sacred space. But what kind of sacred space? And what do all the structures and markings mean? With almost 2,000 years of history, there’s too much to cover in one post, but we’ll give you enough to make a shrine visit a little more interesting. Of course, even a casual visit with no prior knowledge can be rewarding. Shrines a...
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One of the downsides of living in Japan is being unable to use the JR Rail Pass. For those coming to Japan, the JR Rail Pass is a pass for temporary visitors that covers the entirety of the JR train network at a reasonable price and for a specific number of days. Thankfully, discounts for foreign residents pop up now and then. For example, these excellent selective regional passes can be purchased by residents of Japan holding foreign passports. More recently, JR East has been offering discounts on Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets of up to 50% off! The catch is that tickets need to be purchas...
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Kurashiki is a city in southern Okayama Prefecture, only a 20-minute local train ride from the Okayama shinkansen station. Kurashiki played an important role in the economy of the eastern Chugoku region of Japan in the Edo period (1603-1867) because of its location midway between Hiroshima and Osaka. Kurashiki doesn’t present itself as the best of Okayama. Instead, consider it one of the jewels in the crown of Okayama’s many attractions. In particular, the historical quarter, Kurashiki Bikan Chiku, has preserved the old merchant houses and warehouses. But, unfortunately, it’s a destination not...
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Pets in rich countries are increasingly pampered and treated as prized family members. On the streets of Japan, this contemporary phenomenon manifests daily in the form of people pushing a stroller occupied by one or more furry family members wearing warm sweaters and perhaps even diapers. This almost human treatment has progressed so far that pets are being afforded funeral rites previously limited to human beings within the last couple of decades. Is there not something within the doctrines of the native religion Shinto, or else the imported but more dominant religion Buddhism, that might ex...
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Anyone who spent enough time in the country knows that Japan loves animals. From animal cafes (which are not exactly nice) to Nara Prefecture’s pushy deer taking over the sidewalk, the nation’s love of animals is everywhere—especially at shrines and temples. Our furry friends play a big part in Japan’s religion and myths. There are thousands of temples and shrines dedicated to our favorite animals and temples dedicated to cats, dogs, rabbits—even frogs and crabs! The lucky cats of GotokujiTake, for example, the internet’s favorite animal: the neko (cat). As any owner will tell you, cats love j...
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Ise Grand Shrine (called Ise-jingu or often just Jingu in Japanese) is Japan’s most important Shinto shrine. It’s the main location of worship for the top deity in the Japanese pantheon, the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. It also directly connects to the Imperial Family, with the emperor of Japan said to be a descendent of the goddess. You can learn a lot about Japanese culture by visiting it in Mie Prefecture, as I recently did. Here are five things that I learned about Japanese culture while there. 1. A Love Of NatureIse Shrine is a Shinto shrine. Shinto is the native religion of Japan. It’s...
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