20/05/2025
Don’t skip this post if you’re planning to visit a shrine in Japan ⛩️
From Meiji Jingu in Tokyo to Fushimi Inari in Kyoto — these famous Shinto shrines are more than just beautiful. They’re deeply spiritual ✨
But here’s what many travelers don’t realize:
Shrines and temples are not the same.
• Shrines (神社 / jinja) = Shinto
⟶ Torii gates ⛩️, purification water 💧, bells 🔔, clapping 👏🏼
• Temples (お寺 / otera) = Buddhist
⟶ Incense 🕯️, Buddha statues 🧘🏻♂️, silence 🤫(no clapping)
At shrines, you’ll often find rituals that feel unfamiliar — but deeply meaningful.
Here are 5 simple steps to move respectfully through a Shinto shrine:
1️⃣ Bow before entering the torii
2️⃣ Walk slightly to the side (the center is for the gods)
3️⃣ Purify your hands and mouth at the water basin 💦
4️⃣ At the prayer hall:
‣ If there’s a bell, ring it gently 🔔
‣ Bow twice 🙇🏻🙇🏻
‣ Clap twice 👏🏼👏🏼
‣ Pray silently
‣ Bow once more 🙇🏻
5️⃣ Bow again before leaving
These gestures may go unnoticed by tourists but they speak volumes to locals.
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📌 At Suki Tours, we don’t just guide — we help you travel with meaning.
DM us if you’re planning your Japan trip and want to experience sacred spaces with respect and connection.
