Shinto's ties to Japanese culture extend beyond boundaries

[AsahinaKimi]

How do non-Japanese view shrines, which are deeply intertwined with the everyday lives of the Japanese? The third of a four-part forum entitled "Inheriting Traditional Culture" was held on Jan. 28 at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. Chief priest Shigeho Yoshida; Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Japan Volker Stanzel; and Nanatomo Aoi, master of the Aoi school of Japanese dance engaged in a passionate discussion about shrines' ties to Japanese people as well as their future role. The talk was mediated by Noriko Maki, a former announcer with TV Tokyo.

Part ONE: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2010/03/08/20100308p2a00m0na021000c.html

Part TWO:
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/news/20100308p2a00m0na020000c.html

[Art_from_Ark]

1. Having lived in Japan for what seems like ages,

I have a hard time believing that shrines are "deeply intertwined with the everyday lives of the Japanese". Granted, there are shrines all over the place (but oddly enough, none in my neighborhood), but most Japanese don't seem to pay much attention to them outside of New Year's and O-bon unless it's festival time, or someone is getting married or taking a test or taking a trip somewhere.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. That's my reading of it, too

The major shrines seem to have as many tourists (Japanese and otherwise) as worshippers, and if I look in on a non-famous shrine, say one of those little neighborhood places, I'm usually the only one there.

Shinto doesn't ask its followers to attend regular services (I don't think they even hold regular services), so visiting a shrine is more of an occasional thing, as you said, for a holiday or a wedding or prayers for good luck.

[The River]

2. I've Toured Several

The Meji Shrine being the best known. (Late 60's)
They are calm quiet places good for thinking and reflection.
The surrounding gardens are always spectacular for
a "2-green thumbed" person like me.