How to Visit a Japanese Shrine

Shrine vs Temple: Know the Difference

Before you visit, understand what you’re entering:

Feature	Shrine (神社 jinja)	Temple (寺 tera)
Gate	Torii (鳥居) - usually red/orange	Sanmon (山門) - roofed gate
Religion	Shinto	Buddhist
Deity	Kami (spirits/deities)	Buddha
Prayer	2 bows, 2 claps, 1 bow	Hands together, no clapping

This guide covers shrines. Temple etiquette is different (no clapping).

Step 1: Enter Through the Torii Gate

The torii (鳥居) marks the boundary between the everyday world and sacred space.

What to do:

1. Stop before the torii
2. Bow once toward the shrine
3. Walk through on the side (not center)

Why: The center path (正中 seichu) is reserved for the kami. Walking on the side shows respect.

When leaving: Turn back at the torii and bow once more to show gratitude.

Step 2: Walk the Approach Path (参道 Sando)

Continue walking on the left or right side of the path, not down the middle.

If you must cross the center:

• Pause
• Bow slightly toward the main hall
• Cross quickly
• Resume walking on the side

Don’t step on thresholds when passing through gates — step over them.

Step 3: Purify at the Temizuya (手水舎)

The temizuya (also called chozuya) is the water pavilion where you cleanse your hands and mouth before approaching the deity.

Step-by-step purification:

1. Pick up the ladle with your right hand
2. Wash your left hand — pour water over it
3. Switch hands — hold ladle in left hand
4. Wash your right hand — pour water over it
5. Rinse your mouth:
   • Hold ladle in right hand again
   • Pour water into your cupped left palm
   • Bring palm to mouth and rinse (don’t swallow)
   • Spit discreetly to the side or into the drain
   • Never touch the ladle directly with your mouth
6. Rinse the left hand again (the one that touched your mouth)
7. Tilt the ladle vertically to let remaining water run down the handle
8. Place ladle back face-down

One scoop of water should be enough for all steps. Plan ahead.

If there’s no water flowing: Some shrines have turned off their temizuya. Skip this step — it’s not mandatory.

Step 4: Approach the Main Hall (本殿 Honden)

Walk to the offering box (賽銭箱 saisen-bako) in front of the main hall.

What you’ll see:

• Large wooden box with slats on top
• Thick rope hanging above (sometimes with a bell)
• The main hall behind it

Step 5: Make an Offering

Traditional offering: ¥5 coin

Why ¥5? The word for 5 yen (ご縁 go-en) sounds like “good fortune” or “connection with the deity.”

Other amounts are fine — ¥50, ¥100, or whatever you have. Avoid ¥10 coins (遠縁 tō-en = distant connection) if you’re superstitious.

How to offer:

1. Gently toss the coin into the offering box
2. Don’t throw it hard — this is disrespectful

Step 6: Ring the Bell (If Present)

If there’s a rope with a bell above the offering box:

1. Shake the rope gently to ring the bell
2. This alerts the kami to your presence

Not all shrines have bells. Skip this if there isn’t one.

Step 7: Pray (2 Bows, 2 Claps, 1 Bow)

This is the standard prayer procedure at most shrines:

1. Bow deeply twice (90-degree bow)
2. Clap your hands twice at chest level
3. Keep hands together and pray silently
   • Express gratitude
   • Make a wish (optional)
   • Introduce yourself if it’s your first visit
4. Bow deeply once to finish

Remember: 2-2-1 (two bows, two claps, one bow)

Exceptions: Some shrines use different patterns (Izumo Taisha uses 2-4-1). Follow posted signs if present.

What to Pray For

There are no rules. Common prayers include:

• Gratitude for health, safety, or good fortune
• Wishes for success in work, school, relationships
• Safe travels
• Recovery from illness

Do you need to introduce yourself? Some people do (“My name is… I live in…”) but it’s not required. A sincere heart matters more than perfect form.

After Praying: Omikuji, Ema, Omamori, Goshuin

Omikuji (おみくじ) — Fortune Slips

What: Paper fortunes that predict your luck

Cost: ¥100-¥300

How it works:

1. Pay at the counter or drop coins in the box
2. Draw a stick or slip from the box
3. Read your fortune (often has English translation)

Fortune rankings (best to worst):

• 大吉 (daikichi) — great blessing
• 吉 (kichi) — blessing
• 中吉 (chūkichi) — middle blessing
• 小吉 (shōkichi) — small blessing
• 末吉 (suekichi) — future blessing
• 凶 (kyō) — bad luck
• 大凶 (daikyō) — great misfortune

What to do with it:

• Good fortune: Take it home or tie it at the shrine
• Bad fortune: Tie it to the designated rack/tree to leave the bad luck behind

Ema (絵馬) — Prayer Tablets

What: Wooden plaques where you write wishes

Cost: ¥500-¥1,000

How to use:

1. Buy an ema at the shrine office
2. Write your wish on the back
3. Hang it on the ema rack

What to write: Your wish, your name (optional), date (optional). You can write in English.

Omamori (お守り) — Amulets/Charms

What: Fabric pouches containing prayers for specific purposes

Cost: ¥500-¥1,500

Types:

• 交通安全 (kōtsū anzen) — traffic safety
• 学業成就 (gakugyō jōju) — academic success
• 縁結び (enmusubi) — finding love
• 安産 (anzan) — safe childbirth
• 商売繁盛 (shōbai hanjō) — business prosperity
• 健康 (kenkō) — health

Rules:

• Don’t open the pouch (it breaks the blessing)
• Keep it with you (in bag, wallet, car)
• Replace yearly (return old ones to any shrine)

Goshuin (御朱印) — Shrine Stamps

What: Calligraphy stamps collected in a special book

Cost: ¥300-¥500 per stamp

How it works:

1. Buy a goshuin book (御朱印帳 goshuinchō) at any shrine (¥1,000-¥2,000)
2. Bring it to the shrine office
3. Ask: “Goshuin onegaishimasu” (御朱印お願いします)
4. Staff will write calligraphy and stamp your book
5. Pay ¥300-¥500

Important: Goshuin are sacred, not souvenirs. Don’t use the book for anything else. Keep separate books for shrines and temples (some collectors do this, though it’s not required).

Dress Code

Casual clothing is fine. You don’t need formal wear.

Avoid:

• Beachwear (swimsuits, tank tops)
• Very short shorts or skirts
• Clothing with offensive imagery

Hats: Remove them when praying at the main hall.

Shoes: You’ll keep shoes on outdoors. If entering a building, remove them.

Photo Etiquette

Generally allowed:

• Torii gates
• Approach paths
• Exterior of buildings
• Gardens

Often prohibited:

• Inside the main hall
• Sacred objects
• Purification rituals (don’t photograph people at temizuya)

Look for signs: 撮影禁止 (satsuei kinshi) = photography prohibited

When in doubt: Ask at the shrine office or don’t take the photo.

Don’t use selfie sticks — they’re disruptive and often banned.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
No water at temizuya	Turned off (maintenance or winter)	Skip purification — it’s not mandatory
Don’t have ¥5 coin	Only have other denominations	Any amount is fine — ¥100 or ¥50 works
Forgot the prayer steps	Can’t remember 2-2-1	Watch others or just bow and pray sincerely
Shrine office is closed	Visiting outside hours	You can still pray at main hall; buy omamori/goshuin another time
Don’t speak Japanese	Want to ask for goshuin	Point to your book and say “goshuin onegaishimasu” — staff are used to tourists
Drew bad fortune (凶)	Worried about bad luck	Tie it at the shrine to leave the bad luck behind

FAQ

Q: Can non-Japanese people visit shrines?
A: Yes. Shrines are open to everyone regardless of nationality or religion. You’re welcome to observe or participate.

Q: Do I have to pray if I’m not Shinto?
A: No. You can visit as a tourist, take photos (where allowed), and enjoy the architecture without praying. If you do pray, it’s seen as showing respect, not converting.

Q: What if I make a mistake in the ritual?
A: Don’t worry. Sincerity matters more than perfect form. Japanese people make mistakes too. No one will scold you.

Q: Can I visit during my period?
A: Modern shrines have no restrictions. Very traditional shrines may have old rules, but they’re rarely enforced. You’re fine to visit.

Q: Should I tip the shrine staff?
A: No. Never tip in Japan. Pay the listed price for goshuin, omamori, etc.

Q: Can I take omamori or ema home to another country?
A: Yes. They’re meant to be kept with you. Omamori are especially portable.

Q: How do I dispose of old omamori?
A: Return them to any shrine (not necessarily the one you bought it from). There’s usually a return box near the shrine office. Shrines burn them in a purification ritual.

Q: What’s the difference between a shrine and a temple visit?
A: At temples (Buddhist), you don’t clap. Put your hands together in prayer (like in other Buddhist traditions). Everything else is similar.

Last verified: February 2026