The popular stereotype of Japan is one of a multireligious society that has combined Buddhism and indigenous belief (Shintoism), without most of the population

The popular stereotype of Japan is one of a multireligious society that has combined Buddhism and indigenous belief (Shintoism), without most of the population being particularly dogmatic. But Japan has some quirky minority religions[0] that one might only come across by being in the right subculture. I used to dabble in Esperanto, and Japanese Esperantists are often followers of the religion Oomoto, which regards Esperanto’s creator as a saint. On one hand, I’m grateful to the opportunity to learn more about Japan. On the other hand, when you meet Japanese people through Esperanto, you have to remember you are meeting a rather non-representative fringe. (Something similar happens with Brazilian Esperantists, who are often involved in the Spiritism quasi-religion founded by Allan Kardec.) [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_new_religions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_new_religions