⛩ Experience Jinja: A Local Guide’s Quick Manual on How to Enter Japan’s Most Mysterious and Sacred World! Intrigued? Come visit—we’ll be waiting for you!

This blog offers a clear and concise introduction to Jinja—Japan’s most mysterious and sacred world of Shinto shrines.
Among the many attractions that exceed the expectations of foreign visitors, Shinto shrines stand out as an essential part of Japan’s modern daily life and cultural landscape.

Whether you’re a foreign visitor, a business guest, or a student exploring Japanese culture, this is for you. If the following description sparks your interest, I warmly invite you to come and experience it for yourself. Witness the wonder and spirit of Jinja in person!

0. Preface / Before Each Step

Since the main focus of this blog is to explain the step-by-step procedures during a shrine visit from a local guide’s perspective, please refer to official websites and professional blogs for general background and detailed information.

0-1 About the Steps of Praying at a Shinto Shrine

The process of praying at a Shinto shrine can typically be divided into the following seven steps.
If you’d like to check a specific step, you can jump to it directly from the table of contents.

1. Entering Through the Torii Gate
2. Walking Along the Shrine Approach
3. Purifying Yourself at the Hand-Water Basin
4. Offering Prayers and Making Wishes
5. Buying an Omikuji and Reading Your Fortune
6. Buying an Ema (Votive Tablet) & Making a Wish
7. Exiting Through the Torii Gate

0-2 Basic Etiquette

Although not the original focus of this blog, I’d like to introduce a few helpful points for your reference—things that are good to know before getting into the specific manners of shrine worship.

1. There are no strict rules or etiquette for visiting shrines.
2. The manner of worship can vary from shrine to shrine, region to region, and even among individuals.
3. Many people visit the shrine without knowing the proper manners, but there’s no need to worry because Japanese gods are very forgiving.
4. Let me now explain a general worship manner commonly used by many people
5. We hope you understand that you are about to enter a sacred realm where the deities of the Japanese people reside.

1. Entering Through the Torii Gate

Please approach this step with a sense of timing and awareness, depending on the type of torii in front of you and the movements of nearby Japanese visitors.

1. The structure in front of you, connected by two pillars and a beam at the top, is called a ‘torii’ gate.
2. A torii gate can be found in every shrine, just like you’d find a cross in a church.
3. Its purpose is to symbolize the boundary between our everyday world and the divine realm we’re entering.
4. Before passing through the torii gate, it’s customary to pause, offer a brief prayer, and then quietly enter the shrine grounds.
5. If there are several torii gates in a row, it is common to walk through them with your head slightly lowered, as it would be impractical to bow at each gate.

2.Walking Along the Shrine Approach

Now that you’ve entered the sacred realm, I’d like to share a few points—many Japanese visitors are not simply walking; their movements reflect quiet respect.

1. From this point onward, the Japanese advance with a sense of awe, for this is the domain of the gods.
2. As a sign of this, many people avoid walking in the center of the approach and instead walk on the left side.
3. When crossing the approach, some people bow their heads or bow in front of the shrine.

3.Purifying Yourself at the Hand-Water Basin

Even many Japanese people aren’t entirely familiar with the proper etiquette at the chozuya—the basin used for cleansing hands and mouth—so it can feel a bit confusing at first.

Interestingly, many foreign visitors seem to enjoy the ritual with cheerful curiosity.

You might wonder, “Why have Japanese people been doing this for centuries? Were they inspired by raccoons?”
Well—not quite, but let’s take a closer look!

3-1 Before This Step

Here too, I’d like to share a few tips in advance for your reference.

1. This is a place called “Chozuya,” where you rinse your hands and mouth with water to purify yourself.
2. I am going to demonstrate now, so please watch.
3. If you are interested, please give it a try.
4. If you don’t feel like it, you can just watch or pretend.

3-2 Main Points of Each Step

I’ve organized this process based on an official guide sheet I received from a well-known shrine. The ritual can be roughly divided into five simple steps.

1. Begin by purifying your left hand.
   • This ritual serves to cleanse both body and mind with water before offering prayers.
   • Hold the ladle in your right hand, fill it with water, and gently pour approximately a quarter of the water onto your left hand.
2. Next, purify your right hand.
   • Transfer the ladle to your left hand and pour approximately a quarter of the water onto your right hand.
3. Now, rinse your mouth.
   • Hold the ladle with your right hand, pour a quarter of the water into your left palm, and use it to rinse your mouth
4. Next, cleanse the handle of the ladle.
   • Hold the ladle upright with both hands and allow the remaining water to flow down the handle.
5. Lastly, return the ladle to its original position using your right hand.
   • Afterwards, use a handkerchief to dry your mouth and hands, bow, and then proceed back to the approach.

4.Offering Prayers and Making Wishes

This part of the visit involves approaching the main shrine, offering a prayer to the deity, and then returning to the main path.

1. To show your faith, place your donation in the collection box.
2. Stand between the donation boxes in front of you and bow.
   • Today, I’ll make a special donation on your behalf.
3. We perform two bows, two claps, and one final bow during our prayer.
   • First, bow deeply twice.
   • Next, clap your hands together in front of your chest twice.
   • While keeping your hands together, pray with all your heart.
   • Finally, finish with a deep bow.
4. When you are done, step back and move away from there.

5.Buying an Omikuji and Reading Your Fortune

If you see a fortune placed, and are interested, please give it a try. Many shrines allow visitors to leave money and draw their own freely, but here I will cover the most orthodox way of paying a miko (shrine maiden). The omikuji is written in Japanese, but a translation app of smartphones will give you the general meaning.

1. You can draw an omikuji (written oracle) if you’re interested.
2. To get your omikuji, simply pay the miko (shrine maiden) and draw one.
3. Open and read your omikuji to discover your future fortune.
4. Japanese people interpret omikuji as a divine oracle related to their earlier wishes.
5. It can be an exciting experience as you await the results, especially for entrance examinations.
6. The messages from the gods are typically categorized into five levels, ranging from Daikichi (great blessing) to Daikyo (great curse).
7. You may also find comments related to marriage luck, business, examinations, love, and health.
8. If the results are disappointing, some individuals purchase omikuji repeatedly until they receive a favorable message.
9. People often take home good omikuji messages and tie the bad ones to a tree at the shrine.
10. Keep in mind that customs can vary between different shrines and individuals, so feel free to follow your preferences.

6. Buying an Ema (Votive Tablet) & Making a Wish

At many Shinto shrines, it’s customary to make wishes by writing them on ema (votive picture tablets). If you have a wish you’d like to express, feel free to give it a try!

6-1 Before Making a Wish

It can be even more meaningful if you first take a look at the variety of ema and some of the interesting stories behind them.

1. The word ema literally means “picture of a horse.”
2. In ancient times, people would dedicate live horses to the gods as offerings.
3. However, as time went on, this became impractical for most people.
4. Eventually, the tradition evolved into offering wooden plaques painted with images of horses instead—what we now know as ema.
5. Today, ema come in many designs, including animals from the Chinese zodiac, shrine symbols, and various lucky motifs.

6-2 Ema Procedure

The types of ema available can vary depending on the size of the shrine and the kinds of wishes it’s known for. Here, I’ll assume you’re visiting a shrine where a wide range of wishes are welcomed.

1. First, browse the selection of ema—there are many designs to match different wishes and personal hopes.
2. Choose one that resonates with your intention.
3. Pay for the ema at the shrine office or a designated counter, and receive it.
4. Then, carefully write your wish or a message of gratitude on the back of the ema.
5. Find the ema display area, and hang yours there as an offering to the deity—joining it with the hopes of others.
6. If you’d like to take the ema home as a souvenir, it’s better to refrain.
7. Instead, take a photo to remember it by—this way, your wish remains with the gods, and your prayer may come true.

6.Exiting Through the Torii Gate

This marks the end of your visit to the shrine.
As you leave, remember the first step—passing through the torii—and now return respectfully from the realm of the gods.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful participation!

1. When you reach the exit torii gate, pause for a moment, if possible.
2. With gratitude in your heart, offer a respectful bow (eshaku) toward the shrine.
3. Although even many Japanese people may skip this step, you can silently express your thanks to the deities if you wish.
4. Then, quietly pass through the torii gate and return to the everyday world.
5. As a sign of continued respect for the sacred space, it’s customary not to look back after passing through the gate.

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Thank you & Afterwards

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