Shrines and Temples in Japan: The Relationship Between Shinto and Buddhism

When visiting Japan, you will see many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. At first, they may appear to belong to completely separate traditions, and many visitors wonder what the relationship between them is.

In fact, for much of Japanese history, Shinto and Buddhism were not strictly separated. For more than a thousand years, they existed side by side and often blended together in a uniquely Japanese form of religious harmony. This relationship changed dramatically in the late 19th century, during the early Meiji period.

1. The Era of Harmony: Shinbutsu Shūgō

Before the Meiji period, Shinto and Buddhism were deeply interconnected. This blending of the two traditions is known as Shinbutsu Shūgō, meaning the fusion of kami and Buddhas.

Japanese people often viewed Shinto deities, known as kami, and Buddhist figures as closely related. In many cases, kami were understood as local manifestations of Buddhist beings. It was therefore common to find Buddhist temples within shrine grounds, or Shinto shrines within temple complexes.

This created a shared spiritual culture in which people did not feel the need to choose between Shinto and Buddhism. Both traditions formed part of everyday life.

2. The Separation Order of 1868: Shinbutsu Bunri

This long-standing harmony changed after the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

The new Meiji government wanted to modernise Japan and strengthen the authority of the Emperor. As part of this policy, it promoted Shinto as a national tradition closely connected to the imperial family.

The government issued an order known as Shinbutsu Bunri, meaning the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. This order prohibited the mixing of the two traditions. Buddhist elements were removed from Shinto shrines, and monks who had served within shrine complexes were required either to return to ordinary life or become Shinto priests.

3. The Anti-Buddhist Movement: Haibutsu Kishaku

Although the official policy was to separate Shinto and Buddhism, in some areas it led to a much more extreme movement known as Haibutsu Kishaku, which means “abolish Buddhism and destroy Shakyamuni”.

Some local authorities and communities interpreted the government’s policy as a reason to attack Buddhism itself. As a result, many Buddhist temples were destroyed, bells were melted down, and statues, scriptures and other precious cultural objects were damaged or lost.

This caused an enormous loss of cultural heritage.

4. What This Means for Visitors Today

Today, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are generally separate, but the older relationship between the two traditions can still be felt throughout Japan.

Many Japanese people still visit both shrines and temples without seeing any contradiction. For example, people may visit a Shinto shrine for New Year prayers, hold a wedding in a shrine, and later have a Buddhist funeral ceremony.

This reflects the flexible and layered nature of Japanese religious culture.

So, when you visit Japan and see both shrines and temples, you are not simply seeing two separate religions. You are seeing the result of a long and complex history in which Shinto and Buddhism shaped Japanese culture together for more than a millennium.

Discovering this relationship helps us understand Japan more deeply — not only its religion, but also its art, architecture, festivals, gardens and everyday traditions.