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Places · Culture · Manners in Japan

Shrines and temples

Shrines (jinja) are Shinto and temples (tera) are Buddhist, and the manners differ a little. At both, be quiet and respectful, bow at the gate and follow the signs. The details vary by place, so do what the people around you do.

At a shrine
Two bows, two claps, one bow (usually)
At a temple
Palms together, no clapping
Offering
A coin, often ¥5 (go-en)

Do

  • Bow lightly before you pass through the torii or temple gate.
  • Walk toward the side of the path, as the centre is for the gods.
  • Purify your hands (and mouth) at the water pavilion where it is open.
  • Be quiet, and follow the signs and the people ahead of you.

Avoid

  • Do not clap at a temple. Press your palms together silently.
  • Do not take photos where signs forbid it, especially inside halls and of people praying.
  • Do not step on the threshold of a gate or hall.

Shrine or temple?

A shrine usually has a torii gate and stone guardian dogs or foxes, and sometimes sacred ropes (shimenawa). A temple usually has a gate with guardian statues, a hall with Buddha statues, incense and often a graveyard. Many sites in Japan mix the two traditions, so look at the signs.

Praying at a shrine

Bow lightly at the torii and walk to the side of the path. At the water pavilion (temizuya), pick up a ladle with your right hand and rinse your left hand, then switch hands and rinse your right. Pour a little water into your left hand and rinse your mouth without touching the ladle to your lips, then rinse your left hand again. Many pavilions are closed or replaced with flowers, and then you can skip this.

At the main hall, gently toss a coin into the offering box and ring the bell if there is one. Bow deeply twice, clap twice, say your prayer quietly, and bow once more. Some shrines follow a different order, such as Izumo Taisha, which uses four claps, so follow any sign.

Praying at a temple

Bow at the gate and wash your hands if there is a basin. At the main hall, make a small offering, put your palms together in silence and bow. Do not clap. Where incense is offered, light a stick and put out the flame with a wave of your hand, not by blowing, and place it in the burner.

Charms, stamps and photos

Charms (omamori) are sold at the shrine or temple office. Goshuin are calligraphic stamps collected in a special book (goshuinchō), written by hand for a small fee, usually in cash. Treat them as a sacred record, not an autograph.

Photography is usually fine outdoors but often banned inside halls. Do not photograph worshippers or ceremonies without permission. Drones are generally prohibited. A ¥5 coin is a popular offering because "go-en" also means a good connection, but any coin will do.

Good to know

  • Carry small coins for offerings and cash for charms and stamps.
  • Dress modestly, and take off hats and sunglasses when you pray.
  • If a wedding or ritual is in progress, stay back and do not interrupt.
  • New Year (1–3 January) brings hours-long queues, so go earlier or later in the day.

Words you will hear

神社 jinja
shrine
お寺 otera
temple
鳥居 torii
shrine gate
手水舎 temizuya
water pavilion
お賽銭 osaisen
money offering
御朱印 goshuin
stamp collected at shrines and temples
お守り omamori
protective charm

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See also

Next guide Gift-giving and omiyage

General practice. Shrines set their own customs, so follow the signs. Customs vary by region, place and family, and they change over time. When in doubt, follow the signs, watch what others do, or ask politely. Being polite and trying matters more than getting every detail right.