page_title: Culture of Japan
section_title: Religion
hierarchical_section_title: Culture of Japan / Religion
caption_attribution_description: English: Japan Kyoto Kamigamo Shrine Torii Entrance Gate
context_page_description: The culture of Japan has changed greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon Period, to its contemporary modern culture, which absorbs influences from Asia, Europe, and North America.
  Japan's indigenous culture originates primarily from the Yayoi people who settled in Japan between 1000 BCE to 300 CE. Yayoi culture quickly spread to the main island of Honshū, mixing with the native Jōmon culture. Modern Japanese have an estimated 80% Yayoi and 20% Jōmon ancestry.
  Japanese culture was influenced from ancient times to the Middle Ages primarily by multiple Chinese dynasties and to a lesser extent by other Asian countries. For example the Japanese language uses Chinese characters for writing, but Japanese has no genetic relationship with Chinese. Since the Meiji period Japan has been primarily influenced by western countries.
  The inhabitants of Japan experienced a long period of relative isolation from the outside world for over 220 years during the Tokugawa shogunate until the arrival of the "Black Ships" and the Meiji period.
context_section_description: Shinto and Buddhism are the primary religions of Japan, though a secular Christmas is widespread, and minority Christian and Islamic communities exist.
caption: Torii entrance gate at Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto
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