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Shinto, meaning "the way of the gods," is Japan's oldest spiritual tradition, deeply connected to nature and the veneration of kami—sacred spirits believed to inhabit all aspects of life, from mountains and rivers to ancestors. Shinto has no founder, holy scriptures, or dogmatic teachings. Instead, it is based on rituals and practices that promote harmony between humans and the natural world. Shrines, or jinja, serve as focal points where offerings and prayers are made to the kami, and community festivals, known as matsuri, celebrate their presence and blessings.