The essence of Shinto is the Japanese devotion to the spiritual entities and powers known as kami, to shrines, and to various rituals.
    In Shinto, the rituals performed play a central role which enable its followers to communicate with kami.  Kami are not God or gods. They are spirits which are concerned with human beings - they are attentive to people's interest in them and wish everybody to be happy. It is believed that if treated properly they will intervene in people's lives to bring good luck and benefits such as good health and business success, among other rewards.
   Shinto is a very localized  religion, with f9ollowers more concerned with their local shrine than the whole religion. Many Japanese people own a small shrine-altar in their homes.
   Shinto is not an official national religion. As ritual rather than belief is at the heart of Shinto, Japanese people don't really think of Shinto specifically as a religion - it's simply an aspect of Japanese life. This has enabled Shinto to coexist with Buddhism for centuries with no problems or conflicts.

• The name Shinto comes from Chinese characters for Shen ('divine being'), and Tao ('way') and means 'Way of the Spirits'.
• Visiting shrines and taking part in local festivals play an important role in bringing local communities together.
• Shrine visiting at New Year is probably the most popular national event in Japan.
• Shinto is focused on the land of Japan and no other.  Therefore, followers of Shinto have very little interested in missionary work or converting others and so is rarely practiced outside of Japan.
• Shinto sees human beings as basically good and has no concept of the 'original sin' found in some other religions.
• Everything, including the spiritual, is experienced as part of this world. Shinto has no place for any transcendental other world.
• Shinto has no sacred literature or holy scriptures.
• Shinto teaches important moral and ethical principles but has no commandments or laws.
  
• Shinto has no founder.
• Shinto has no God.