What's the Difference Between Shrines and Temples in Japan?

Japan has a rich history as evidenced by shrines and temples predating thousands of years.
Such places of worship are found in many regions across Japan, such as Kyoto. 
Yet, there are distinctive and contrasting features between shrines and temples that you ought to know before visiting them. 
Read on to find out!

1. Definitions of a “Shrine” and a “Temple”
2. Origins of Shintoism and Buddhism
3. Differences in Appearances
4. Differences in Mannerisms
5. The People at Shrines and Temples
6. Differences in the Location of the Enshrined Object
7. Summary

1. Definitions of a “Shrine” and a “Temple”

Shrines

A shrine is a place where Shinto deities are worshipped, as many people in Japan believe in Shintoism.

Temples

A temple refers to a Buddhist place of worship, where Buddhist statues are enshrined. 

2. Origins of Shintoism and Buddhism

Shinto believe in Shintoism

Shinto is the traditional faith of Japan from ancient times. 
In Shintoism, it is believed that gods dwell in everything around us.
These gods are called yaoyorozu no kami, or eight million gods. 
This concept of yaoyorozu no kami denotes the belief that all things in existence, such as the mountains, rocks, trees, waterfalls, buildings, everything. 
This is because since ancient times, the Japanese have always lived in sync with nature, such as agriculture and fishing.
Simultaneously, they have been exposed to natural disasters such as typhoons and drought, which made them feel a divine connection to natural phenomena. 

Temples follow Buddhism

Buddhism arrived in Japan more than a thousand years ago from China and Korea, focused on the teachings of Buddha. 
It came to Japan in 525, when the monarch of the Korean kingdom of Baekje sent a mission to Japan with gifts, which include an image of the Buddha.
Interestingly, the dominant approach in Japan for many centuries was Shinto-Buddhist syncretism. 
This was where Shinto shrines were built on the compounds of Buddhist temples, and vice versa. 
Yet, after the Meiji Restoration, the government issued regulations to differentiate Shinto from Buddhism which remains to this day.

3. Differences in Appearances

Appearance of Shrines

Shrines generally have a torii gate at the entrance which marks the boundary between the secular world and the godly world. 

Appearance of Temples

Temples have sanmon gates, the most important gate of a Japanese Zen Buddhist temple. 

Statues at Shrines

Shrines are flanked by stone statues of komainu, with the exception of Inari shrines which have foxes instead. 

Statues at Temples

Temples are guarded by Nio, namely Agyo and Ungyo, who symbolises the beginning and the end of the world.

4. Differences in Mannerisms (and how you pray)

The way you pray at shrines and temples are slightly different. 

Praying at Shrines

In shrines, after ringing the bell that hangs from above, money offerings are made to the offertory box.
Visitors should then "bow twice, clap twice, and bow once again" before making prayers. 

Praying at Temples

In temples, hands are quietly pressed together in front of your chest without clapping.
Temples also have incense which can be used to make sincere prayers. 
Note that you should extinguish the flame by waving your hand, rather than blowing it out with your mouth. 
You may also see visitors fanning themselves with the smoke, as it is also believed to have healing powers. 

5. The People at Shrines and Temples

The people who work at shrines and temples have different jobs.

People at Shrines

People who work at shrines are called shinshoku or kannushi, whose main work is to perform rituals and prayers held at shrines and are responsible for the maintenance of the shrine. 
There are also supplementary priestesses called miko.
They are usually young women in white kimonos and red pleated hakama. 
They are generally seen selling omamori or talismans. 

People at Temples

People who work at temples are called monks or obosan. 
They devote themselves to training, managing graves, reciting sutras at Buddhist memorial masses, and managing the temple compounds. 

6. Differences in the Location of the Enshrined Object

Both shrines and temples have a special space for sacred objects, but the locations are often different. 

The location of the sacred object in Shrines

In shrines the go-shintai (sacred spirit of the god) is enshrined in a place that cannot be seen from the outside. 
Generally, the object of worship is stored deep within the shrine and so regular worshippers are not allowed to see it with their eyes. 
The furthest building from the torii gate is the honden (the main shrine), and this is where the goshintai is stored. 

The location of the sacred object in Temples

In temples the Buddhist statues are worshipped, and these are open to the public's eye. 
You can see Buddha statues whenever you visit temples. 

7. Summary

All in all, the main differences are: 

• Shrines follow Shintoism, while temples believe in Buddhism
• The origin of Shintoism lies in Japan, whereas Buddhism comes China and Korea
• The entrance of the shrines is embodied by torii gates with komainu, and temples have sanmon gates with Nio
• To make prayers, it is customary to bow twice, clap twice, bow once at shrines, while it is not necessary to clap hands at temples, but to simply press them together 
• The people who work at shrines and temples are different from each other
• The location of the enshrined object is usually hidden in shrines, whilst it is open to the public in temples

For more information on shrines and temples, refer to our Ninja Blog articles below!
9 Must-Visit Shrines in Kyoto
10 Must-Visit Temples in Kyoto

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