Even as it steps boldly into the twenty-first century with its technological and scientific advances, Japan holds onto its ancient roots. The island nation is famous for long being isolated with its own culture, often having few outside influences. Today, Japan is readily influenced by worldwide cultures, including Western ones, yet the nation hasn’t let this deduct its individual personality. One aspect that has shaped Japan for thousands of years, and continues to shape it today, would be its religion of Shinto.