Architecture & Design

One could easily distinguish a shrine from a temple just by looking at its architecture.

Buddhist Temples are elaborate, complex and are situated in areas where people can see them. Its design is integrated with its natural surroundings, it has simple structures and temples are almost always made from wood.

In the early days, shrines are small, unpainted with only one room with an inner chamber for worship. They are built with wood and stones in isolated areas with simple and nature-inspired architecture. The designs were later on influenced by Chinese architecture, mainly by the Buddhist temples, making the shrines more elaborate and colourful.

Shinto shrines can be distinguished into four styles: Taisha, Nagare, Shinmei and Hachiman.  Taisha and Nagare are smaller shrines and are built as a stand-alone while Shinmei and Hachiman are larger shrines which are part of a complex containing a number of sanctuaries.