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WAi! WAi! JAPAN

OCT 11, 2019　01:59

This will be a brief description focusing on the most important points for visiting Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan.

【TEMPLE】
Since there are now lots of tourists visiting Japanese temples, many of the popular location has English guidance in the area - please take your time to read the description as respect and manner is especially important in these places.

A respectful gesture needs to be presented in front of sacred objects. This can be done by throwing a coin (any amount will do), followed by a short prayer.

There are temples with burn incense called the “Osenko お線香”. Purchase a bundle, light them, and let it burn for a few seconds… Do not extinguish the flame by blowing it out like a candle - you have to do so by waving your hand. Please place the incense in the incense burner and fan the smoke toward your body. This smoke is believed to have healing powers so you may direct the smoke towards specific parts where you have a (current/past) injury.

There are many tourists taking photos on the temple ground but this is forbidden inside the building. When entering the temple, you may have to take off your shoes and leave them at the entrance or carry them in your bag. Also, please remove your hat as you proceed.


【SHRINE】
Unlike temples, you are not supposed to visit a shrine when you have an injury, sickness, or mourning since these are all causes for impurity.

Proceed in a normal state and mind. First, you will find a purification fountain at the shrine’s entrance. Scoop the water using a ladle and rinse both hands. After doing so, use one of your hand to hold some water and carry it into your mouth for rinsing. Without drinking it, spit the water beside the fountain along with what is left in the ladle (do not return any water to the fountain).

At the shrine, there is an offering hall where you throw a coin (any amount) into the offering box; bow deeply twice; clap your hand twice; bow deeply once more and pray (for as long as you’d like).

If there is a large bell above the offering box, you may shake it before praying so the shrine’s god may notice you.