Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Temples

Differences Between Temples and Shrines

Goal of this lesson

Learn how to tell temples and shrines apart and how their ways of praying differ, so that you can pray correctly on your own according to the place you visit.

Explanation

A shrine (神社) is a place of Shinto faith, and a temple (お寺) is a place of Buddhist faith. Shrines enshrine the kami (deities) of Shinto, and Shinto priests (神職, also called kannushi 神主) serve there. Temples are Buddhist; they enshrine Buddhist statues and other objects of worship, and monks (僧侶) carry out religious training and Buddhist memorial services there.

The entrance is a good clue. Shrines have a torii gate (鳥居), while temples often have a main gate (山門). Temples may also have an incense burner for offering incense, or a cemetery.

The way of praying also differs. At shrines, "bow twice, clap twice, bow once" (二礼二拍手一礼) is the basic form, though some shrines have different customs. At temples, you usually do not clap; you quietly put your palms together (合掌) and bow. Details differ by Buddhist school and temple.

For a long time in Japan, kami and Buddhas were worshipped together, but from the first year of the Meiji era (1868), government policy promoted separating shrines and temples (神仏分離). As a result, some places still have elements of both in their grounds. If you are unsure, follow the signs and instructions.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

神社（じんじゃ）と お寺（おてら）は ちがいます。

【神社】 ・神道（しんとう）の 場所です。 ・入口に 鳥居（とりい）が あります。 ・2回 おじぎ、2回 手を たたく、1回 おじぎ（ちがう 作法の 神社も あります）。

【お寺】 ・仏教（ぶっきょう）の 場所です。 ・入口に 門（もん）が あります。線香（せんこう）が あります。 ・手を たたきません。手を 合わせて おじぎ します（宗派（しゅうは）で 少し ちがいます）。

両方（りょうほう）の 形が ある 場所も あります。 わからない ときは、案内を 見ましょう。

Check quiz

Q1

Which one usually has a torii gate at the entrance?

  1. A temple
  2. A shrine
  3. A church
  4. A museum
AnswerB. A shrine

The torii gate is the sign of a shrine. Temples often have a main gate (sanmon).

Q2

How do you pray at a temple?

  1. Bow twice, clap twice, bow once
  2. Clap three times
  3. Do not clap; put your palms together and bow
  4. Ring the bell ten times
AnswerC. Do not clap; put your palms together and bow

At a temple, you do not clap; you quietly put your palms together and bow.

Q3

Who conducts Buddhist services at a temple?

  1. Monks (僧侶)
  2. Shinto priests (神職)
  3. Shrine maidens (巫女)
  4. Chief priests of a shrine (宮司)
AnswerA. Monks (僧侶)

Temples have monks. Shinto priests, shrine maidens and chief priests serve at shrines.

Q4

When did the government start promoting shinbutsu bunri, the separation of shrines and temples?

  1. The Heian period
  2. The beginning of the Edo period
  3. After World War II
  4. The first year of Meiji (1868)
AnswerD. The first year of Meiji (1868)

Shinbutsu bunri was promoted from the first year of Meiji (1868). Before that, kami and Buddhas were often worshipped together.

Q5

What if you are not sure whether it is a shrine or a temple?

  1. Do all the customs of both
  2. Follow the signs and instructions
  3. Clap loudly
  4. Leave without doing anything
AnswerB. Follow the signs and instructions

Some places still have elements of both, so follow the signs and instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Are there shrines and temples next to each other?

A. Yes. Because kami and Buddhas were worshipped together in the past, in some places they are close to each other, or elements of both remain on the same grounds.

Q. Where can I get an omamori (お守り, amulet)?

A. Both shrines and temples may offer them.

Q. Can I visit if I do not belong to either faith?

A. Many shrines and temples welcome visitors for prayer or sightseeing, whether or not they are believers. Both are places of faith, so follow the etiquette and visit quietly.

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