寺社(じしゃ)

じしゃ
noun
temples and shrines
building
1. temples and shrines
A compound word referring collectively to Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Used when discussing both types of religious sites together.
京都(きょうと)には寺社(じしゃ)が多(おお)い。
There are many temples and shrines in Kyoto.
正月(しょうがつ)には多(おお)くの人(ひと)が寺社(じしゃ)を訪(おとず)れる。
Many people visit temples and shrines during the New Year.
この地域(ちいき)の歴史的(れきしてき)な寺社(じしゃ)を巡(めぐ)るツアーに参加(さんか)した。
I joined a tour visiting the historic temples and shrines of this area.

Usage

The order 寺社(じしゃ) (temple-shrine) is the standard form. The reversed form 社寺(しゃじ) also exists and is interchangeable. Both refer to Buddhist temples (寺(てら)) and Shinto shrines (神社(じんじゃ)) collectively.

In historical contexts, 寺社(じしゃ)奉行(ぶぎょう) was a Tokugawa-era magistrate overseeing temples and shrines.

Common collocations

  • 寺社(じしゃ)仏閣(ぶっかく): temples and shrines (more formal synonym)
  • 寺社(じしゃ)巡(めぐ)り: pilgrimage to temples and shrines
  • 寺社(じしゃ)奉行(ぶぎょう): magistrate of temples and shrines (historical)

Related Words

Compare: 神社仏閣(じんじゃぶっかく) (shrines and temples)
general
Added 2026.2.22 14:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12645_jisha