This review mainly focuses on simple template routes for hollow particles and introduces their applications. An inorganic template using inorganic particles is a facile technique to obtain hollow particles with various shapes, sizes, from nano to micron, and also different shell microstructures. These structure controls provide wide applications such as superior thermal insulation films, anti-corrosion films, and unexpected "easy-to-grip" volley ball coatings, etc. This technique is also an environmentally friendly route that only requires a mild condition to remove the template, and the generated byproducts can be reused for synthesis of the template. This paper describes the sol-gel synthesis which is useful to form the shell structure of the hollow particle and then how to control the particle structure using various templating routes. In addition to our achievements using hollow silica nanoparticles, the development of applications such as the lithium ion battery, biomedical products, and catalysts, will be outlined. (c) 2013 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.