Shrines and temples are a huge sightseeing attraction for travelers visiting Japan!
In such a fast-paced, high-tech, modern country, shrines and temples are a great way to step back into Japan’s rich history. Many of Japan’s customs which are present today actually stem from Shinto beliefs and Buddhist teachings!
Not only are Japanese shrines and temples beautiful and highly impressive examples of architecture, but they also offer an atmosphere for introspection and connection with the world around us.
If it’s your first time to visit these sacred places, you may feel a bit hesitant for fear of messing up or (unintentionally) being disrespectful. This post is to help you see that it’s not as scary or even as strict as you might think!
Before getting into detail about how to go about visiting a shrine or temple in Japan, let’s first take a quick look at the differences between the two:
What is a Japanese shrine?
A shrine, or jinja (神社 / じんじゃ) in Japanese, are the sacred grounds of the Shinto religion.
They are dedicated to various gods, or kami / kamisama, as they are known in Japanese. There are said to be millions of kami according to Shinto belief.
As opposed to the all-powerful god we know in the western sense, these deities are more akin to spiritual forces and exist in the natural world around us.
For example, the sun, wind and mountains can all have their own kami. Some kami have ties to human life such as health, fertility or good fortune and act as spiritual guardians.
The decoration of a Shinto shrine is the more simple of the two places of worship. The colours are generally muted and the decor is more nature-oriented.
Its most recognizable piece of decor is a twisted rope with white, zig-zag paper strips hanging from it. A mini version of this is even worn by Yokozuna during grand sumo tournaments!
Some of the most famous shrines are Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Ise Jingu in Mie.
What is a Japanese temple?
A temple, or tera (寺 / てら) as its known in Japanese, is the Buddhist place of worship.
They are often larger, more extravagant and brighter in colour than a Shinto shrine. They are characterised by their various statues of Buddha, mighty pagodas, and can be detected even from a distance by their aromatic incense burners!
Visiting a Buddhist temple is a mindful experience where you can come to pray, reflect on life and honour Buddha at the same time.
Some of the more well-known temples include Senso-ji temple in Asakuka, Tokyo, Kiyomizudera in Kyoto and Katsuo-ji temple in Osaka.
General tips and guidelines for visiting a temple or a shrine in Japan
- If you are unsure whether the sacred grounds you wish to visit are actually a temple or a shrine, there is often a clue in the name! As mentioned previously, 寺 is the kanji for ‘temple’. When used as a suffix, the pronunciation can vary from ji (じ) to tera/dera (てら / でら). Therefore, you can be sure that Kiyomizudera is a Buddhist temple!
- On the other hand, a shrine would have the suffix jinja, taisha (大社 / たいしゃ) meaning ‘grand shrine’ or jingu (神宮 / じんぐう) which is a special title used for shrines which are connected to powerful kami and the imperial family.
- Be mindful that many temples and shrines (especially those out of the city) are reached by tall flights of stairs. I would definitely recommend doing some research beforehand if this is something you might have difficulty with.
- There is no strict or particular dress code for entering a shrine or temple, though as it is a sacred place of worship, it is customary to dress in a respectable manner.
- As with many public spaces in Japan, it is courteous to behave in a calm and quiet manner. It’s okay if you are not sure what to do when visiting a shrine or a temple, as simply having the patience to look around and observe what others do and even just appreciating the grounds would be sufficient enough.
How to visit a Shinto shrine
Before entering the grounds of a shrine, you will be greeted by torii gates. It is respectful to give a slight bow at the entrance.
It is said that rather than walking through the torii gates, you should walk to the side of them. This is because the center is seen as a symbolic entrance for the kami to pass through. Though, depending on the particular shrine this custom may not be so strictly followed.
If in doubt, take a look at the people around you and follow suit!
Upon entering the grounds, there will often be a hand wash basin, called a temizuya to purify yourself before paying respects.
To use the temizuya, pick up the ladle with your right hand and first rinse your left hand, then switch and wash your right hand.
If you want to go a step further you can then switch hands again and pour some water in your left hand to rinse your mouth. Never touch the ladle to your mouth directly!
To finish, stand the ladle in an upright position so that the water rinses over the handle itself and leave the ladle back.
At the main hall, you will climb some stairs to find an offering box. If there is a bell you may ring it and then toss a coin into the offering box. Many Japanese people will opt for 5 yen, or go en (5円 / ごえん), as it has the same pronunciation as ‘good fortune’ in Japanese (ご縁).
That being said, it matters less about which coin or how much money, but about the thought behind your action and the sincerity in your prayers.
When you have made your offering it is time to pray! The typical way to pray at a Shinto shrine is to bow twice, clap twice, say your prayer with hands together, and bow once more before leaving.
This act is more about showing respect and connecting to the kami, unlike at a Buddhist temple where we would be self-reflecting or connecting to Buddhist teachings like meditation.
Finally, when you are leaving the grounds, take one final bow towards the shrine.
How to visit a Buddhist temple
Instead of the hand wash basin, the first thing you will notice upon entering a Buddhist temple’s grounds will be its signature incense burners.
You can purchase a bundle of incense sticks which you can then light and use to make a prayer. Use your hand to fan the fragrant smoke onto yourself as a method of symbolic purification.
When you arrive at the main hall, you can offer a coin in the offering box. Place your hands together, bow once or twice and then make your prayer or reflection. This moment is about our own meditation, gratitude and inner reflection.
Buddhist temples are not so strict with its visitors needing to follow the correct rituals, so don’t worry if you can’t remember the gestures! Over any of the customs, the most important thing is to show respect and appreciation for the space you are in.
This includes following any rules that may be indicated by signs around the temple grounds. If you are stepping further inside to one of the halls, you may see signs telling you to remove your shoes upon entering, so make sure you have socks on!
Upon entering, you can get a good view of the altar which displays sacred objects and gorgeous decor, but do take heed of ‘no photography’ signs!
Omikuji
Omikuji (おみくじ) are Japanese fortune slips! They can be found at both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
You will find a counter which sells good luck charms, known as omamori (お守り / おまもり) which can range from happiness in love, success in exams to road traffic safety. It is here where you will also be able to purchase a fortune slip.
Depending which shrine or temple you are visiting, there are a couple of different fortune slip lottery methods.
In some places you can simply choose a folded slip from a display or box, while other places use a wooden box. In this case you shake the wooden box until a stick falls out. The stick will have a number which you will then use to find a drawer and collect your fortune!
The fortune will read differently from place to place, some giving predictions or advice on aspects of your life such as health, love and work. The most common outcomes will be:
- 大吉 – だいきち – Excellent luck
- 中吉 – ちゅうきち – Medium luck
- 小吉 – しょうきち – Slightly good luck
- 末吉 – すえきち – Good luck to come
- 凶 – きょう – Bad luck
If you aren’t happy with your pull, don’t freak out just yet! You will notice an area where you can fold and tie your fortune on and leave your misfortune behind.
Shrine and temple vocabulary in Japanese
| English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
| (To) visit a shrine/temple | お参り(する) | おまいり(する) | omairi(suru) |
| Offering/donation | お賽銭 | おさいせん | osaisen |
| Torii | 鳥居 | とりい | torii |
| Main hall | 本堂 | ほんどう | hondou |
| Shrine | 神社 | じんじゃ | jinja |
| Temple | (お)寺 | (お)てら | (o)tera |
| English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Shinto deity | 神(様) | かみ(さま) | kami (sama) |
| Cleansing area | 手水や | てみずや | temizuya |
| Bell | 鈴 | すず | suzu |
| Fortune slip | お守り | おまもり | omamori |
| Good luck charm | おみくじ | おみくじ | omikuji |
| Wooden tablet with prayer | 絵馬 | えま | ema |
| English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Buddha | 仏様 | ほとけさま | hotoke sama |
| Monk/Buddhist priest | お坊さん | おぼうさん | obousan |
| Incense burner | 香炉 | こうろ | kouro |
| Incense sticks | 線香 | せんこう | senkou |
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Hannah is a half Irish/half Japanese girl living in Ireland. Her love for Japan and the Japanese language led her to studying languages and translation in university where she specialised in Japanese. She spent a year studying abroad at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. In her free time, Hannah enjoys using her sewing machine to upcycle clothes and create new pieces!