Manners to follow when visiting a shrine in Japan

Shrines are on everyone’s bucket list when traveling to Japan, right? Shrine is actually a wonderful place to learn Japanese traditions and customs in depth.
Shrines are places to worship the God in Japan, so you are expected to behave respectfully when visiting them.

Today, we introduce some basic manners to follow when visiting shrines in Japan.

Passing the Torii

Torii; the gate of the shrine, is one of the main features of a Shinto shrine. There are some rules to follow when entering this sacred gate:

1 Take off your hat or cap off. If it’s not too cold, make sure to take your jacket off too.

2 Walk on the side as the middle of the Torii is for the Gods.

3 Slightly bow and step your left foot first

Use Temizuya or Chozuya to purify yourself

 

You’ll see a water basin, which is called as Temizuya or Chozuya in Japanese, at every shrine.

You are expected to use this water basin to cleanse your body and mind before praying.

1 Pick the ladle with your right hand and fill it with water

2 Cleanse your left hand with the water and transfer the ladle into your left hand and cleanse your right hand with some water

3 Rinse your mouth by filling your left hand with water, rinse your mouth, and spit it outside the basin. Don’t touch your mouth with the ladle

4 Fill the ladle with a little water and move the ladle vertically before placing it back on the basin again

How to walk on the path between the Torii and the Shrine

 

Just like Torii, don’t walk in the middle of the path, as the middle is for the Gods.

Make sure to walk on the side and also pay attention to the direction of the crowds to avoid bumping with other visitors; this is extremely important during festivals or events.

Send a prayer

You can send a prayer at the main hall if you want too. There, you’ll see a saisenbako (offertory box) and bell (sometimes gong). Don’t stand on the center of saisenbako, and avoid taking pictures of the main hall if you can.

Throw a 5 yen coin into the saisenbako and ring the bell two or three times to inform the Gods of your presence.

Bow twice, clap your hands twice, pray, and bow one more time.

There is a saying in Japanese for this: Ni-rei ni-haku ichi-rei

Leaving the shrine

Don’t forget to purchase omamori (lucky charms) as well as ema (votive tablets) to write your wishes.

If you love fortune-telling, don’t forget to pick an omikuji!

Leave the shrine just as you entered by walking on the side!