Japanese shrines, known as "神社" (jinja) in Japanese, are places of worship in the Shinto tradition. Shinto is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and centers around the veneration of kami, which can be spirits of nature, ancestors, or revered historical figures. Shrines are essential cultural and religious sites in Japan, reflecting the country's deep spiritual heritage. Shrines are typically characterized by their distinctive architecture, including vermilion-colored wooden gates called "torii," prayer halls, purification fountains, and sacred trees. Visitors to shrines can participate in various rituals, such as purification by washing hands and mouth at the fountain, making offerings, and ringing bells to alert the kami to their presence.