One of the aspects I love most about Japan is its unique spirituality. A seamless blend of Buddhism and the native Shinto tradition, Japanese spiritual practices are woven into the very fabric of everyday life. When asked if they are religious, 85% of Japanese people typically respond with a firm no. This isn’t surprising, as both Buddhism and Shinto are not practiced in the traditional Western sense—visiting churches or temples to pray to a deity. In Japan, these spiritual traditions are more about shaping one’s worldview and understanding one’s place in the universe. While Buddhism is relatively well-known worldwide, Shinto remains somewhat mysterious. In this blog, I want to shed some light on its philosophy and explore its most famous rituals.

Surrounded by divine spirits

Living in a land constantly shaped by earthquakes, volcanoes, and battered by typhoons, the people of these islands have learned to respect the formidable forces of nature. The misty mountains covered with dense forests were believed to be homes of kami, or divine spirits. Ancient Japanese thought that kami existed in everything—rocks and trees, rivers and the sea, mountains and clouds. Kami were present everywhere, in all aspects of life. They could be benevolent or bring calamities, but whether good or bad, they always commanded respect. This reverence and veneration of nature form the foundation of Shinto, or the Way of the Gods.

Torii gates and shimenawa ropes

To mark the entrance to a shrine or a sacred space, ancient Japanese built Torii gates. Originally, these gates were made from interconnected tree trunks, which may be the origin of their name—in Japanese, torii means “where the birds are.” Tree trunks provided a perfect perch for birds. Over time, Torii gates became more elaborate and were often painted red, but their shape remained largely the same.

As seen in the photo above, the Torii gate is decorated with a rope called shimenawa, which features hanging zigzag-shaped paper ornaments (shide) and straw tassels. Similar shimenawa ropes are commonly wrapped around trees and rocks or hung over water purification fountains. Their presence signifies that the object they adorn is considered sacred or has been purified and consecrated. The shide paper decorations symbolize the god of thunder while the tassels are a symbol of the god of rain – two powerful kami to protect the sacred object.

Shinto shrines

A peek into a shinto shrine

A Shinto shrine is a place where a kami resides. The shrines are rarely opulent; instead, their design is often quite simple. However, the use of wood and other natural materials in their construction and decoration creates a harmonious and pleasing combination of colors. Every shrine has two main parts: the front, called the honden, which is accessible to worshipers, and the back, known as the haiden, where the kami is enshrined. The haiden is typically only accessible to priests, while ordinary visitors, like us, are not permitted inside.

What I love about Shinto shrines is that they are always surrounded by forests or groves of trees, reflecting the Shinto belief in the sacredness of nature. To me, the old trees are simply magical—something I find to be a common sentiment, as I often see them wrapped with shimenawa ropes. The presence of these trees brings a sense of serenity and grounding.

When I take clients to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, I like to ask if they notice any difference in the energy there. Interestingly, everyone describes a similar experience: the energy at temples tends to draw your focus inward, making it ideal for contemplation and meditation. In contrast, the energy at Shinto shrines feels light and expansive, very uplifting. It’s a wonderful sensation to experience.

A shrine is the home of a deity. To express their respect people bow at the Torii gate at its entrance and then once again when they exit.

Before entering a shrine, visitors are expected to purify themselves with water. Often, the water at the purification fountains flows from the mouth of a dragon, a symbol of the Water God. There is a customary ritual for purification: using a ladle placed in the basin, you scoop water to rinse. First, you rinse your left hand, then your right. Next, you scoop water again to rinse your mouth. Finally, you turn the ladle vertically to rinse its handle before placing it back on the basin.

A purification fountain

Shinto rituals

A gohei wand

Oharae

In Japan, paper is regarded as a symbol of purity. The word for paper—kami—is the same as that for deity, although their characters are different. Due to this significance, paper plays an important role in Shinto purification rituals. A wand with attached shide strips called gohei is used to cleanse sacred places, objects, and even individuals believed to carry negative energy. A priest or shrine maiden waves the gohei over the head and body of those undergoing purification. It is believed that the purity of the paper helps remove any impurities one may carry. Any Shinto ritual is preceded by oharae (purification ceremony). Believe it or not, having the gohei wand wave over you can feel quite nice, as it sweeps away the densities from your aura.

Hitogata-nagashi

I believe what makes Shinto rituals powerful is that they engage intention, emotion, and physical action, bringing together all aspects of our being. A good example of this is the Hitogata-nagashi, or “flowing the human form” ritual. On a cutout of washi paper shaped like a human body, you write your name and what you wish to release—such as an ailment or an emotional burden. The paper slip is then released into a stream, where it is carried by the current and gradually dissolves. This ritual does not require a priest to perform; you can do it yourself. In the video below, you can see it done at the stream of the Water God shrine at the Okuni Tama Shrine in western Tokyo. I love watching how the human-like shape pauses for a moment before slowly dissolving—signifying that your troubles are gone.

This engagement of thought, feeling, and physical sensation is also evident in how prayers are performed. For example, a bottomless ladle is used to pray for a safe childbirth. The name of the pregnant mother and her prayer are written on the handle of the ladle, which is then left at the shrine of Suijin, the Water God, who is believed to bring an easy delivery and protect motherhood. One might wonder why a bottomless ladle is used for such a prayer. The answer is that it symbolizes the wish for a smooth, effortless birth, similar to how water flows smoothly through a bottomless vessel.

Another powerful water purification ritual is Misogi, which is usually performed under a waterfall or at the mouth of a river. The flowing water is believed to cleanse both the body and soul. Fortunately, to experience or observe Misogi, you don’t have to travel far from Tokyo—Mount Takao, on the western edge of the metropolitan area, has a dedicated Misogi shrine. It is situated next to a waterfall beneath which practitioners dressed in white kimono sit. The ritual is sacred and very private, so we cannot see them directly, but we can clearly hear their voices chanting sutra prayers.

Shinto shrines play an important role in the life of their community. Many aspects of life and celebrations take place at the shrines, including festivals dedicated to their kami, harvest festivals, and the traditional hatsumode visit at the New Year to offer prayers for a good year and receive talismans. Shrines also serve as venues for weddings, presenting newborns to the gods for protection, and many other ceremonies. Or, people may go to the shrine to simply enjoy its serene and peaceful energy.

Wedding procession at the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

It is difficult to capture the richness of Shinto traditions in just one blog. To conclude this exploration, I must mention what is perhaps the most influential aspect of its philosophy on Japan as a country and on its people. Shinto ethics are rooted in the belief that all humans and the world are inherently good. Although some evil forces may cause disharmony, focusing on creating harmony and purity within ourselves helps restore the natural balance. This philosophy of life is easy to embrace and has profoundly shaped the way the Japanese perceive life and act in the world. Preserving wa, or harmony, is essential for fostering goodness in society. Understanding this concept may help have a better grasp of the Japanese soul.