Shinto shrines are places of worship in the Shinto religion, which is indigenous to Japan. These shrines are dedicated to various kami, or spirits, and serve as sites for rituals and ceremonies. They often feature a distinctive entrance gate called a torii, which symbolizes the transition from the mundane to the sacred. Visitors to Shinto shrines can participate in various practices, such as offering prayers, making wishes, and cleansing themselves at a temizuya, or purification fountain. The architecture of shrines varies, but they typically include a main hall, or honden, where the kami is enshrined, and other structures for worship and festivals.