All of us had certain expectations of what Japan may look like before we actually got here. I know I did. Out of being the Hi-tech gadget heaven for those enthusiasts of the Japanese electronics world, I actually wanted to see more of the traditional part of Japan. Particularly, its temples, and also, now that I know there is a difference, its shrines.

I was lucky enough to be located in Nipponbashi, right in the middle of everything. Among all the entertainment around Namba and Shinsaibashi, I found endless temples around my area, all within stroll distance or a short bicycle ride. Shortly after I discovered that there are differences between temples and shrines. Not only that, I also started to notice that Shintoism and Buddhism are not exclusive of each other. Instead both are celebrated or practiced by the japanese depending on the occasion.

Born and raised as a catholic but being exposed to other religions while growing up in the South of Spain (Islamic and jewish influences are still vivid in my beloved city of Sevilla), I was terribly confused when I moved to the US and discovered that so many versions of Christianism existed. And, although they all derived from the same believes, same God, and sacred scriptures, they are exclusive of each other. Well, such a thing does not happen in Japan and this made me look more into it.　Well, Shinto religion is practiced in Shinto shrines and Buddhism is practiced in Buddhist temples. So far that makes sense. Generally, Buddhist temples are more elaborate in its architectural form due to its Chinese influences.

Some see a resemblance with Chinese architecture in Buddhist temples. Shinto shrines have simple rectangular structures with upright wooden supports, pitched gables and crossbeams covered with deeply thatched rice straw that is replaced ever so many years.

A shrine is called a Jinja 神社 and a temple is お寺 . As an entrance to the grounds of a shrine there is a torii gate that rises several meters high (some incredibly higher than others). It is a passage from the mundane world into the realm of the transcendent. Now, I don't know if this is right, but I have been told that if you are not a Shinto or Buddhist, you should go around the torii instead of through it. I'll leave that up to you.

Once you've gone through or around the torii there is the temizuya/chouzuya, where one must wash his or her hands using ladles with long sticks. This is for the purpose of purifying oneself before entering the premises. You may also notice at the entrance to figures that could easily resemble lions flanking both sides of the entrance to a shrine. They are called ''a'' and ''un'' and they guard the shrine. You may also see statues of foxes once inside, and they protect the spirits that inhabit the premises of the shrine, like the spirit of really old trees that grow inside the premises. The main sanctuary is called honden and it houses the shintai, the sacred image of the resident kami. Here, you'll find an offering box where you can toss a coin (preferably a 5\ coin as tossing a 10\ coin may bring your future much later since 10 in japanese is also pronounced ''to'' which can ''far''), pull a really thick rope to summon the deity, clap your hands twice and say a prayer. You may or may not notice that Shinto shrines usually face toward the south, or sometimes east, but never north or west.

On your way out, make another offering, and pull a long thin stick out of a wooden box which depicts a number. That number will lead you to a drawer or box from which you should pull out your omikuji, fortune-telling message. Fortunes are classified in four types. Dai-kichi (great good fortune), kichi (good fortune), shou-kichi (middling good fortune), and kyou (bad luck). If you are satisfied with your luck, you may take it home with you, but if you are not so fond of what you got, fold it, and tie it to a tree. Supposedly this means that you leave such unpleasant fortune for some other existence or maybe spirit to worry about it.

Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan and was originated from the believe that each clan in Japan had its own kami (God). Shinto is devoted to affairs of worldly existence, thus, blessing of children, prayers for success in business and virtually all marriages are celebrated in Shinto shrines whereas funerals are carried in Buddhist temples.

Buddhism, on the other hand, was originated in India by Prince Siddhartha (Buddha, or enlightened one), and then imported into Japan through Korea in the 6th century. Buddhism is based on the idea that all suffering in life comes from desire. Suppression of desire will eventually lead to a state of nirvana where desire is extinct and we are free from its delusion.

There are tons of history behind both religions that would cover much more than what has already been written. If you want to look more into it, there are tons of books that cover this in bookstores that sell foreign books like Junkudo, or you may find lots of good info on the internet. Allow me to just mention some of the most popular shrines and temples I personally like:

Heian Shrine
The shrine of Peace and Tranquility, in Kyoto.

Kasuga Shrine
One of Japan's most famous shrines located on a hilltop in the ancient city of Nara.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
The best way to get there is to take the Nankai train to Yumiyoshi-taisha Station. I recently visited that shrine this past weekend and I loved it! The bridge there is really famous because it resembles the shape of a Taiko (traditional japanese drum).

Todaiji Temple
In Nara Here you'll find the Great Buddha. An immense figure of Buddha resides in this temple, which in order to house it is 160 feet tall, making it the largest wooden structure in the world and the image the largest bronze Buddha ever cast.

Ryoanji
Temple of the Peaceful Dragon, in Kyoto.

Kyomizudera
The temple of Clear Water, in Kyoto. From this temple you can get an astonishing view of the beautifully historical city of Kyoto. It is famous for its three freshwater fountains which are believed to have healing powers.

Kinkakuji
The temple of the Golden Pavilion, in Kyoto. One of the most beautiful and famous temples in all of Japan. It was a retirement home built for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, then dedicated as a Buddhist temple which would later be set on fire by a priest. What stands there now is an exact replica of the gold leaf covered, three-story pavilion that it once was.

Horyuji
A 7th century building located in Nara. It is the world's oldest wooden building.