So what exactly is the difference between a temple and a shrine? Working both at a church and as an English teacher ensures I am posed this question at least once a week. First, we have to realize that when used in Japan, the words “temple” and “shrine” don’t follow standard English usage. Typically a shrine is conceived of as a small altar or holy place devoted to a holy person or deity, whereas a temple brings to mind a larger edifice built primarily for the purpose of communal worship.
In Japenglish however, “temple” and “shrine” indicate a differentiation that doesn’t exist outside Japan’s particular cultural context. Here, a shrine refers to a Shinto place of worship, and a temple is a Buddhist place of worship. These particular meanings are specific to English spoken in Japan. On a practical level, how can you tell the difference between a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple?
Things you see at temples:
Things you see at shrines:
Things you see at both:

Jizo – Many women or couples in Japan who have terminated a pregnancy, suffered a miscarriage, or had a stillborn baby choose to honour the soul of this child through a practice called mizuko jizo. Mizuko means ‘child of the water’ and is used to refer to the soul of a child who has been returned to the gods. Jizo is the name of the Buddhist god who protects and guides that soul on its journey to another world.

Simple wooden buildings. This is the Awesome Club, the “not kids but not old and married” group I started at church.
Both temples and shrines have seals.
Reblogged this on Alice and Japan.
Awesome Mackensie! I appreciate you sharing! Heidi