How to visit a shrine

A very easy guide with the most basic, essential information, with photos, for visiting a shrine. Things I wish I'd known on my very first visit to a shrine. Because whether you are visiting Japan short term or plan to live here, it is likely that you will visit a shrine at some point in your journey.

You bow at the first torii that you encounter, often at the start of the approach to the shrine, known as the "sando". As you walk along the approach you will see a water font for cleansing, known as a "temizu", before praying. This is how you use it:

Take up the ladle positioned on the font. Put some water in it from the flowing water. That is, do not use the water collected in the font itself, but the fresh water coming out / flowing out of the spout. First pour some of the water in the ladle over your left hand, then over your right. Finally pour the remaining water into your left hand and cup the water to your mouth to rinse your mouth. However, please note that since the pandemic, the latter is not expected. Position the ladle back at the top of the font. If you have one, you should use your own hand towel to dry your hands.

Approach the shrine, throw an offering into the prayer box which is positioned in front of the shrine. Sometimes you have to find a whole or gap in the doors of the shrine to throw the money into.  The offering can be as little or big as you want! Five yen is considered lucky because five yen in Japanese is "goen" and "goen" is also the word (different kanji) for a deep connection. After you've put your offering in the prayer box you should:

Bow twice - at a 90 degree angle is advised. Stand upright and clap twice, at chest level. After which you say your prayer. When you've finished your prayer, bow deeply once again. The end! 

Don't worry if you don't get it right the first or second or even tenth time. Very few people are critical of anyone who gets it wrong. But you should be respectful at all times when in the precincts of the shrine. For example, no shouting or loud voices or loitering in a way that inconveniences others. 

The photos in this post were taken at Kotokuji Shrine in Tsurugashima.