is why the shrine gained a reputation for having the most complex roof in Japan. The ornate carvings below the eaves are reminiscent of syncretic mausoleum construction in the Edo period.

Visits to the shrine by senior Japanese political figures have drawn criticism from countries such as South Korea, which was under Tokyo’s colonial rule for 35 years, and China, which Japan invaded.

As Japan’s population falls and interest in religion declines, there are fewer people to contribute to the upkeep of the country’s numerous temples and shrines. Suzuki’s Mikaboyama temple ...

The shrine honours Japan's war dead but also convicted World War Two criminals A Chinese man accused of buying spray paint which was used to write the word "toilet" on a controversial Japanese ...

Each of these temples and shrines offers a unique cultural and spiritual experience. Be sure to pay a visit during your next ...

Japan's Supreme Court delivered the final decision earlier in the day on a request filed in 2013 by 27 family members seeking to eliminate their relatives' names from Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine.