Religion and Faith in Japan

Most Japanese do not exclusively identify themselves as adherents to a single religion; rather, they incorporate different and seemingly contradictory elements of various religions in a fashion known as “Shinbutsu shūgō” (神仏習合, an amalgamation of kami and buddhas). “Shinbutsu shūgō” officially ended with the Shinto and Buddhism Separation Order of 1886 but continues in practice. 

Shinto and Japanese Buddhism are therefore best understood not as two completely separate and competing faiths but rather as a single, rather complex Japanese religious system. This is why there is no straight answer to the biggest religion in Japan or the most traditional religion in Japan.

Japan enjoys full religious freedom, and minority religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism are practiced. However, there are still atheists in Japan. Figures stating that 84% to 96% of Japanese adhere to Shinto and Buddhism are not based on self-identification but come primarily from birth records, following a long-standing practice of officially associating a family line with a local Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine. 

A Shinto shrine can be a miniature shrine in your home or place of work. This is known as a ‘Kamidana’. Offerings of water or rice are placed in front of the shrine, along with daily prayers.

About 70% of Japanese profess no religious membership, and 84% claim no personal religion. In census questionnaires, less than 15% reported any formal religious affiliation by 2000. There is also a small minority of Christians in Japan, less than 1%. However, most Christian denominations such as Catholicism and Protestantism are present, with many Japanese couples choosing to be wed within a Christian ceremony.

Up until the 1940s practicing Jehovah’s Witnesses were jailed in Japan. In 2020 around 300,000 people attended a religious celebration in Japan based around the ‘Lords Evening Meal’. Even as one of the smallest minorities in Japanese religion, Jehovah’s Witnesses, are celebrating safely now.

Despite the general attitude towards religion and faith in Japan, the Japanese celebrate Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween annually with a commercial bonanza. Easter is yet to be recognized, even commercially, in Japan. The small percent of Christians in Japanese religion will celebrate Easter, but not on the larger scale as recognised holidays. This means although Christianity is a religion practiced in Japan, certain bank holidays recognised in the UK or other cultures will not be viable.

As a foreigner living in Japan, you shouldn’t find it too hard, if you wish, to connect with a religious or faith-based community. It may be more difficult if you are living in an isolated area, but if you are flexible and willing to travel, you are likely to find something that matches your needs.