Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Shrines

Etiquette for Visiting a Shrine

Goal of this lesson

Be able to visit a shrine on your own with proper etiquette.

Explanation

At a shrine, bow once in front of the torii gate (鳥居) and walk along the side of the approach path (参道). Purify your hands and mouth at the water basin (手水舎). At the worship hall, put an offering coin (お賽銭) in the box, then pray by bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once (二礼二拍手一礼). This is the common way (some shrines have different styles, such as Izumo Taisha, where you bow twice, clap four times, and bow once). Photography is not allowed in some places, so check the signs. Whether or not you are a believer, you are welcome if you follow the etiquette and visit with respect.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

神社（じんじゃ）に 行くときのマナーです。

1. 鳥居（とりい）の前で、軽く おじぎをします。 2. 手水舎（てみずや）で 手と口を 清めます。 3. お賽銭（さいせん）を 入れます。 4. 2回 おじぎ、2回 手をたたく、1回 おじぎ（二礼二拍手一礼）。

神社に よって、ちがう 作法も あります。 信じる 宗教が ちがっても、マナーを 守れば 参拝できます。

Check quiz

Q1

What do you do in front of the torii gate?

  1. Clap your hands
  2. Bow lightly
  3. Take a photo
  4. Speak loudly
AnswerB. Bow lightly

Bow once.

Q2

What do you do at the water basin?

  1. Drink the water
  2. Purify your hands and mouth
  3. Wash your face
  4. Nothing
AnswerB. Purify your hands and mouth

Purify your hands and mouth. Do not drink the water.

Q3

What is the way to pray?

  1. Bow once only
  2. Bow twice, clap twice, bow once
  3. Clap three times
  4. Just put your palms together
AnswerB. Bow twice, clap twice, bow once

Bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once is common. Some shrines have different styles, such as Izumo Taisha (bow twice, clap four times, bow once).

Q4

Where do you walk on the approach path?

  1. In the middle
  2. On the side
  3. You run
  4. Anywhere
AnswerB. On the side

The middle is said to be the path for the gods.

Q5

Can you visit if you are not a believer?

  1. No
  2. You are welcome if you follow the etiquette
  3. You need permission
  4. Only if you pay
AnswerB. You are welcome if you follow the etiquette

You are welcome if you follow the etiquette.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How much should I offer?

A. There is no set amount. Give what you feel is right, such as 5 yen or 100 yen.

Q. Is the etiquette the same at a Buddhist temple?

A. At a temple, you do not clap. Put your palms together instead.

Q. What about hats?

A. It is polite to take off your hat when you pray.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original