The religion of Japan started as an animistic belief in spirits of nature. Shintoism, a polytheistic religion developed from these beliefs and ideas brought from Korea, China and perhaps even Polynesia. Eventually Shinto was supported as a national religion and the political leaders were seen as among the many gods of the religion. When Buddhism arrived, it overtook Shintoism in popularity, yet a great deal of syncretism occurred and many people, in essence, practice both religions and visit both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
