Guides for visiting shrines & temples
Short, practical guides written for first-time visitors to Japan. Customs vary between places, so treat these as general guidance rather than strict rules.
How to pray at a Japanese shrine (and temple)
Visitors are welcome at most shrines and temples in Japan, and nobody expects perfection. The steps below are what people commonly do — customs vary by place, so follow any signs or the people around you.
Read the guideWhat is a goshuin?
A goshuin (御朱印) is a seal written by hand in ink and stamped in red, given at many shrines and temples. It is a record that you visited and prayed there — not a souvenir stamp, so it is usually written into a dedicated book.
Read the guideShrine or temple? How to tell the difference
Japan has both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, often close together and sometimes sharing a site. A few visual cues make them easy to tell apart.
Read the guideReady to visit?
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