日本神社寺廟參拜禮儀

Shrine or Temple in Japan? Get the Etiquette Right Before You Bow

Shrines and temples are staples of any Japan trip, but the rules are not the same. An Openholidays round-up explains the split: shrines are Shinto, usually marked by a red torii, and are visited with two bows, two claps and one bow. Temples are Buddhist, entered through a sanmon gate, and call for palms together in silent prayer — no clapping.

The article also notes bowing lightly before the torii and avoiding the centre of the approach path, which is treated as the gods' route. At the worship hall, drop a coin, ring the bell if there is one, then bow twice, clap twice, pray silently and bow once more.

At the temizuya, wash the left hand, then the right, rinse your mouth using water poured into your palm rather than your lips on the ladle, then clean the handle. It adds that some places now use running-water temizuya or have paused the mouth-rinsing step, so follow on-site notices.

For temples, extinguish incense by fanning with your hand, not blowing. Some halls require removing shoes, and photography is often banned around statues and main halls, so check the signs.

Editor’s noteThis is an etiquette explainer with no venue, date or price details, so check on-site notices when you arrive.

This guide draws on public sources and does not claim a first-hand visit. Reviews and arrangements may change.