Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Japan has tens of thousands of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and visiting them is a highlight of any trip. Most are welcoming to visitors of any faith. A few simple customs will help you feel comfortable.
Shrine or temple: what's the difference?
| Shinto shrine (jinja, -gū, -taisha) | Buddhist temple (tera, -ji, -in) | |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Torii gate | Large wooden gate (mon), often with guardian statues |
| Venerates | Kami (deities/spirits) | Buddha and bodhisattvas |
| Look for | Shimenawa ropes, guardian lion-dogs (komainu), foxes at Inari shrines | Incense burners, pagodas, Buddha statues, graveyards |
| Praying | Bow twice, clap twice, bow once | Bow and pray quietly — no clapping |
Many Japanese people visit both — shrines for births, weddings and New Year, temples for funerals and ancestors.
Purification (temizu)
- At the water basin (chōzuya), take a ladle in your right hand and rinse your left hand.
- Switch hands and rinse your right hand.
- Pour a little water into your cupped left hand and rinse your mouth (don't drink from the ladle), then rinse your left hand again.
- Tilt the ladle upright so the remaining water runs down the handle, then replace it.
Some basins now use running water or flowers; follow what you see.
How to pray at a shrine
- Bow lightly before passing through the torii, and try to walk to the side of the path — the centre is said to be for the kami.
- At the offering hall, toss a coin into the box (a ¥5 coin is considered lucky).
- Ring the bell if there is one.
- Bow twice, clap twice, make your wish, bow once. (Some shrines, such as Izumo Taisha, use four claps.)
At a temple
Offer a coin, place your hands together and bow quietly. You can buy incense and waft the smoke toward yourself — it's believed to bring good health. Remove shoes when entering halls, and don't photograph inside unless signs allow it.
Goshuin: temple and shrine stamps
A goshuin is a hand-brushed calligraphy seal you can collect in a goshuinchō (stamp book), sold at many temples and shrines. Fees are typically a few hundred yen (around ¥300–¥500, sometimes more). Treat it as a record of worship, not a souvenir stamp: ask politely, don't hand over a book filled with tourist stamps, and some places keep separate books for shrines and temples.
Omikuji, omamori and ema
- Omikuji: paper fortunes. If you get a bad one, tie it on the designated rack to leave the bad luck behind.
- Omamori: protective amulets for health, safety, study, love and more.
- Ema: wooden plaques on which visitors write wishes and hang them at the shrine.
General etiquette
- Dress modestly and speak quietly.
- Observe photography and drone rules; many inner halls prohibit photos.
- Don't eat while walking in the grounds, and stay on paths in gardens.
- Respect worshippers and ceremonies — don't block them for photos.
Top places to start: Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, Tōdai-ji in Nara, Meiji Jingū and Sensō-ji in Tokyo, Itsukushima in Miyajima, and Tōshō-gū in Nikko.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pray at a Japanese shrine?
After purifying your hands, offer a coin, ring the bell, then bow twice, clap twice, make your wish and bow once.
Do you clap at Buddhist temples?
No. At temples you put your hands together and bow quietly without clapping.
What is a goshuin?
A hand-brushed calligraphy seal collected in a stamp book at temples and shrines, typically for a few hundred yen.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: