The Life of Japanese People and Shinto Shrines
How Many Times Do People in Japan Visit Shrines Throughout Their Lives?
In Japan, many people describe themselves as having no religion.
Even so, Shinto shrines exist naturally within daily life.
Rather than a matter of faith, they represent a cultural practice that has been passed down while accompanying important milestones in life.
So, how often do people in Japan visit shrines throughout their lifetime?
In fact, this relationship begins even before birth.
At various stages of life such as growth, turning points, and moments of gratitude, people visit shrines.
Here, we will follow this connection through the flow of a lifetime.
Before Birth: Prayers for Safe Delivery
In Japan, it is not uncommon to receive a first prayer before a baby is born.
Around the fifth month of pregnancy, there is a custom of visiting a shrine on the Inu no Hi (Day of the Dog) to pray for a safe delivery.
The Day of the Dog is one of the dates determined by the ancient Chinese zodiac cycle and occurs once every twelve days.
Because dogs are known for easy births and large litters, they have long been regarded as a symbol of safe delivery.
On this day, pregnant women visit a shrine to receive a ritual performed by a Shinto priest and to receive a haraobi (belly band).
The haraobi is a white cloth that gently wraps the abdomen and symbolizes protection of the baby.
It is also valued as a sign of preparing oneself for motherhood.
Shrines also offer protective amulets for safe delivery, which many pregnant women keep with care until childbirth.
This prayer is not limited to followers of a particular faith and is available at shrines throughout the country.
Some shrines are known for blessing conception or enshrine deities associated with childbirth, but the wish for the safety of mother and child is the same everywhere.
It is said that more than 80 percent of pregnant women visit a shrine for this prayer, making it a deeply rooted custom even among those who consider themselves non-religious.
