Shinto and BuddhismJapan has two main religions, the native Shinto animism, and Buddhism. Shinto  Shinto, the way of the gods, has no rules or formal structure. There are no teachings or particular moral. These gods are believed to be everywhere in the nature: in a tree, a mountain or a river.
Followers typically also believe in good and evil spirits, even ghosts (you will notice that lots of Japanese people still have a kind of fear for ghosts).
Shinto was made religion of state at the Meiji restoration and is still funded by the government.
More about Shinto religion here Buddhism Buddhism came from China with the kanji from the Nara to the Kamakura period. Today, there are still numerous sects, all having their own structure, main temple and financial structure. | 
