Shinto which translates to “way of the gods” in the English language is a native Japanese religion and the largest religion in Japan alongside Buddhism. The Shinto religion is Japans most practiced religion with nearly 80% of the Japanese people practicing Shinto in one way or another. The Shinto religion is also Japans oldest religion, which evidence shows dates back to 660 BC. The origins of Shinto can be traced well into the past and evidence shows that in its earliest forms the religion was based off of animal and nature worship. Japan is known as Shinkoku, which translates to Land of the gods in English. The reason for this nickname is due to the Shinto religion allegedly having well over 800-thousand Kami or gods in the Shinto religion.