Japanese for Shrine Visits — How to Pray, Omamori & Goshuin | Nihongo to Japan
Shrines and temples are essential cultural stops on any trip to Japan. Knowing how to pray properly and a few phrases lets you buy omamori and goshuin — and shows respect for the culture. Here are useful phrases for the visit, from praying to asking questions and buying charms.
Asking & praying
- お参りの作法を教えてください。 (おまいりのさほうをおしえてください) — Could you tell me how to pray properly?
- 手水舎はどこですか？ (てみずやはどこですか) — Where is the purification fountain (temizuya)?
- お賽銭はいくらぐらい入れますか？ (おさいせんはいくらぐらいいれますか) — About how much should I offer?
- 拝殿はどちらですか？ (はいでんはどちらですか) — Which way is the main prayer hall?
- 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (しゃしんをとってもいいですか) — May I take a photo?
- ご祈祷をお願いできますか？ (ごきとうをおねがいできますか) — Can I request a prayer ritual (gokitō)?
Shrine visit order: 1) a small bow before the torii gate; 2) purify hands and mouth at the temizuya; 3) at the main hall, offer a coin and ring the bell if there is one; 4) do the nirei-nihakushu-ichirei — two bows, two claps, a silent prayer with palms together, then one final bow. At a temple you press your palms together silently and do NOT clap. The offering amount is up to you; a ¥5 coin is popular (it sounds like go-en, 'a good connection').
Amulets, seals & fortunes
- 御朱印はいただけますか？ (ごしゅいんはいただけますか) — May I receive a goshuin (shrine seal)?
- 御朱印はいくらですか？ (ごしゅいんはいくらですか) — How much is a goshuin?
- 御朱印帳はありますか？ (ごしゅいんちょうはありますか) — Do you sell goshuin notebooks?
- お守りはどこで買えますか？ (おまもりはどこでかえますか) — Where can I get an omamori (amulet)?
- 交通安全のお守りはありますか？ (こうつうあんぜんのおまもりはありますか) — Do you have a traffic-safety amulet?
- おみくじを引きたいです。 (おみくじをひきたいです) — I'd like to draw a fortune slip (omikuji)
Omamori and goshuin are handled at the shrine office (shamusho / juyosho), usually beside the main hall. Omamori are 'received' rather than merely bought (the verbs itadaku/ukeru are common); for a goshuin, pray first, then receive it — usually ¥300–500.
Ema plaques & wishes
- 絵馬はどこで買えますか？ (えまはどこでかえますか) — Where can I get an ema (wish plaque)?
- 絵馬はどこに掛けますか？ (えまはどこにかけますか) — Where do I hang the ema?
- 合格祈願のお守りはありますか？ (ごうかくきがんのおまもりはありますか) — Do you have an amulet for passing exams?
An ema is a small wooden plaque you write a wish on, then hang at the designated ema rack — a popular way to make a wish.
Practical questions
- 参拝は何時までできますか？ (さんぱいはなんじまでできますか) — Until what time can I visit?
- 御朱印の受付は何時までですか？ (ごしゅいんのうけつけはなんじまでですか) — Until what time is the goshuin desk open?
- 最寄り駅はどこですか？ (もよりえきはどこですか) — What's the nearest station?
- お手洗いはどこですか？ (おてあらいはどこですか) — Where is the restroom?
- 駐車場はありますか？ (ちゅうしゃじょうはありますか) — Is there a parking lot?
Travel tips
- When passing through the torii, the center is the path of the gods — walk to the side, and give a small bow as you enter and leave
- Temizu order: scoop with the right hand to wash the left, switch to wash the right, pour into your left hand to rinse your mouth (don't touch the ladle to your lips), then tip the ladle up to rinse the handle
- At a shrine you clap (nirei-nihakushu-ichirei: two bows, two claps, one bow); at a temple you press your palms together and do NOT clap — don't mix them up
- A goshuin is proof of your visit (not a collectible stamp) — pray first, then receive it, and bring coins (usually ¥300–500)
FAQ
Is praying at a shrine the same as at a temple?
No. At a shrine (jinja) you do the nirei-nihakushu-ichirei (two bows, two claps, one bow) and clap; at a temple (o-tera) you simply press your palms together and pray silently, without clapping. At both, purify your hands at the temizuya first.
What is a goshuin and how do I get one?
A goshuin is proof of your visit, hand-brushed in ink and stamped in red by the shrine/temple office, usually ¥300–500. You'll need a goshuinchō (notebook, often sold on site). Pray first, then go to the desk and say 「御朱印をいただけますか？」.
What if I draw a bad-luck omikuji?
Don't worry about it. By custom you can tie a bad-luck slip at the shrine's designated musubi-dokoro rack — symbolically leaving the bad fortune behind — while a good-luck slip can be taken home.