A jinja, or shrine, is a place to enshrine a kami_a Shinto deity, or spirit. Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, and is characterized by polytheism mixed with the strong influence of animism. Shinto sees the involvement of kami in all the workings of nature. Each shrine is dedicated to a specific kami. During the New Year's holidays, these shrines are crowded with many people saying prayers to the kami and making offerings. 意訳：神道の神々をまつる社やしろ．神道とは日本固有の宗教で，自然の営みには多くの神がさまざまなかたちでかかわっていると考えられている．その神々を祭っているのが神社で，神社によって祭られている神は異なる．正月，神社は初もうでの人々でにぎわう
神社に詣でる
「worship at [visit] a shrine
神社に（神として）祭る
deify [enshrine] a person
彼らは靖国神社の国家護持を求めている
They are demanding government support for the Yasukuni Shrine.
