Japan Data Archive

About Japan > Society > 

On what occasions do people go to temples?

Most funerals in Japan are conducted in the Buddhist tradition and the dead are buried according to Buddhist rites.
Remains of the dead after cremation arc placed in a grave at a temple.
Therefore, the family of someone who is buried at a temple becomes a supporting member called danka.
Originally a temple was deeply rooted in the community, and it was like a church in Christianity in the sense that regular lecture meetings for believers were held.
But very few young people now go to such events.
Most people seldom go to temples except for funerals.
However, temples in Kyoto and Nara, two representative ancient cities, are always filled with tourists.