Kyoto

However, Kyoto is still Japan’s religious center.

Buddhism

The land of Japan is notably shaped by the indigenous faith of Shintoism but Buddhism emerged to be a potent religious center at the heart of this nation.

Shinto

Shinto was seen as the inherent religion of Japan, the Emperor the descendent of the goddess Amaterasu, and Japan was the cornerstone of what made Japan Japanese.

Shintoism

Shintoism had an influence on Japan by introducing the idea of worship.

Shinto-Buddhism

The predominant religion of feudal Japan’s waring clans during the Sengoku Jidai, the setting of Shogun 2’s grand campaign, is Shinto-Buddhism.

Nara

Nara is the most historic and spiritual centre of Japan, where the first capital city was built over 1300 years ago.

Todaiji

Todaiji was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower Japan's influence on government affairs.

Mt. Fuji

Situated on Honshu Island close to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji is thought of as the sacred middle of Japan.

Koyasan

Koyasan is often described as the heart of Buddhism in Japan.

Heijo-kyo

Heijo-kyo became the center of political power, economics, cultural, and birth place of Japanese Buddhism religion that was about to spread throughout Japan.

the city of Kamakura

The capital and religious center of Japan from the 12th-14th centuries was the city of Kamakura.

Buddhist

During the 17th century, anti-Christian government policy required all Japanese people to register at a Buddhist temple and commit to practicing Buddhism, albeit with strong Shinto influences.

Buddhist temples

For its first few centuries in Japan, Buddhist temples were staffed by educated priests who prayed for the prosperity of the nation and the Imperial house.

Kamakura

but Kamakura was once the religious and political heart of Japan and, in the 13th century, the 13th century's second capital.

Kumano

At one time Japan’s Imperial family and former Emperors made the pilgrimage trips from Kyoto to the shrines of Kumano, one of Japan’s most sacred sites.

Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine

As Buddhism melded with Japan's native religions, the Kumano region became more significant nationally as the imperial family made over 100 pilgrimages to Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, and as the centuries passed the aristocracy and common classes followed.

Buddhist monasteries

From the early Yamoto state to the Heian period, the twin centers of Japanese culture were the Buddhist monasteries and the imperial court.

Todaiji Temple Complex

The Todaiji Temple Complex was built in the 8th century as the head Buddhist temple in all of Japan.

around the worship of spirits (kami)

Japanese religion was centered around the worship of spirits (kami) and became known as Shinto ( the Sacred Way )

Yasukuni Shrine

The prewar governments established Shintoism as the state religion and the people were encouraged to worship at the Yasukuni Shrine.