Uchikura & Co., LLC

Why Many Japanese Do Not Consider Themselves Religious

 

One of the most unique aspects of Japanese Shinto is the belief that kami exist everywhere.

 

A mountain may have a kami. A river may have a kami. A large tree, an ancient rock, or even a place with a special history may be considered sacred. Let me clarify one important point: these objects themselves are not considered gods. They are simply places where kami may reside or manifest their presence. In Shinto, the natural object is often a yorishiro (a vessel or place that attracts a kami), not the kami itself.

 

Because the world around us is inhabited by kami, people are expected to act with respect and humility. Doing something dishonest or harmful is not simply wrong because someone is watching—it is wrong because we live within a world where the divine presence can be found everywhere.

 

This way of thinking has influenced Japanese culture for thousands of years. Keeping places clean, showing respect for nature, taking care of shared spaces, and behaving properly around others are not merely rules imposed by society. They are a natural expression of living in harmony with the kami.

 

Interestingly, many Japanese people do not describe themselves as religious. They may not attend religious services regularly or think of themselves as followers of a particular faith. However, many of the values shaped by Shinto are so deeply woven into everyday life that people simply accept them as common sense.

 

In other words, many Japanese do not consciously practice a religion—they live with a cultural understanding that the sacred can be found everywhere.

 

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why simple acts such as cleaning a street, removing shoes before entering a home, or appreciating the changing seasons carry a deeper meaning in Japan.

 

The kami are not only found inside shrines. In traditional Japanese thought, they are all around us.