Thousands of people visit Tokyo shrine to pray for prosperous year

Ah yes, the ultimate pay-to-pray scheme - where tossing a few coins into a box somehow secures misguided "divine" favor. Need good grades? Pay up. Want health, wealth, and happiness? That'll cost you. It's far less about spirituality and more about running a centuries-old vending machine for "blessings." At least be honest and put up a sign: “Cash only - absolutely no guarantees.”

It's a genius business model, really - selling hope with zero accountability.

May peace prevail regardless of whether business is impacted

And Japanese people say "we're not a religious country"......The evidence says otherwise

And Japanese people say "we're not a religious country"

They are, mostly, pragmatic and not very religious.

The donations are no different from those given on Sunday services in churches across the globe. The wealth of some of those is astronomical.

The donations are no different from those given on Sunday services in churches across the globe.

Could not be more different.

And Japanese people say "we're not a religious country"......The evidence says otherwise

Have you ask the question to "all the Japanese"?? I think a couple will say they are religious (specially those going to the worshiping buildings on sunday).

Believing in gods, spirits and deities is one thing, being part of a religion is totally different thing.

You could belive in god but not in the church or the bible.

Why you feel the need to crisicize and look down to other people beliefs??

That is so immature atheist way of thinking

The shrine visitors are donating a couple of ¥10 coins. Not a fortune.

The shrine visitors are donating a couple of ¥10 coins. Not a fortune.

Someone's rich.

Why you feel the need to crisicize and look down to other people beliefs??

That is so immature atheist way of thinking

You see that, right?

Why you feel the need to crisicize and look down to other people beliefs??

That is so immature atheist way of thinking

You see that, right?

hmm... I am an atheist too so, what is your point?

Finally this balances out too. There's absolutely no problem with throwing a few coins for the gods in case of believers or for fun and taking part in a cultural event for non-believers. What's the alternative if that wouldn't be done and all such shrines, temples or churches elsewhere wouldn't be existing and financed by their followers? Exactly, you would have all of them on the welfare payroll, paid by normal tax money. Or they would wait for you passing by at every street corner and rip you off at least a similar money amount on average.

I see this as tradition more than religion. I expect that most people know that praying achieves nothing tangible (it may make the person doing it feel good, in which case go for it), but "this is what we have done for hundreds of years and we aren't about to change it now" is the general way of thinking here.

My experience with my in-laws and extended family on my wife's side is that religion in Japan is basically more of a social ritual than a deeply held conviction. Like they say, Shinto for birth, Christianity for weddings (because they think it's glamorous) and Buddhism for funerals. It's essentially pick and mix. Or a kind of syncretism, if you prefer.

In terms of forcible proselytising, the only time I've experienced that in Japan is from westerners, most of whom look about twenty years old with absolutely no life experience, but the zealous belief that they have the right to cram their superstition down everyone's throat. And we wonder why religion in the west is going the way of the dinosaurs.

@Jay - best post I’ve read on here in a long time. Get a 1000 recommends.

In 2022, around 48.5% of people identified as Shinto followers, and 46.3% identified as Buddhist.

Most shrine visitors will give a couple of coins any day they visit.

I visited a local shrine with friends family and neighbours this afternoon, the rain ceased miraculously to offer the opportunity for crowds to sincerely seek/wish/pray for a prosperous peaceful 2025.

Having such faith that the community together signifies a collective strength unity.

Same as every year. It's their custom and tradition and that's fin

Some religious adherents do not believe in religious freedom.

Poorly worded? maybe

but also there could be a unwillingness (or lack of) understandig by the recipient too

All donations are tax-free.

but also there could be a unwillingness (or lack of) understandig by the recipient too

Which is it? Unwillingness, or lack of?

""This year, prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East where wars have impacted many companies due to disruptions in logistics and supply chains""

Thank you everyone, Let Us All PRAY for Peace across the globe we really need it.

Daniel,

Don't worry about it. You are right, and I will do better in future.

"Due to its proximity to the Akihabara Electric Town, the shrine has become a mecca for the technophiles who frequent Akihabara. The Kanda Shrine sells talismans specifically for blessing electronic devices against the types of harm that could come to them."

Bring your smartphones and tablets.

"The Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo is owned by the Jinja Honchō, the Association of Shintō Shrines. The Jinja Honchō is a membership organization that includes most of Japan's Shintō worshipers and shrines."