At the Chozuya

The Chozuya is the place for rinsing your hands and mouth before visiting the shrine.

Whenever you visit a shrine or temple, you need to purify yourself. However, a bathroom is too large, so it is simplified to a place for washing only your hands and mouth. Once you are done, your purification is complete.

  1. Take the ladle with your right hand.
  2. Fill it with running water and pour it over your left hand.
  3. Wash your right hand.
  4. Take the ladle with your right hand again and pour the water over your left hand.
  5. Cup your left hand, pour some water into it, and lightly rinse your mouth. It’s more like touching the water with your lips. When you do this, don’t touch the ladle directly with your mouth.
  6. With the remaining water, rinse the ladle to purify it.

In Front of the Altars

  1. Toss a coin into the offering box called Saisen-bako. Many people toss a 5-yen coin as it is said to bring good fortune.
  2. Shake the rope to ring the bell (if there is no bell, you can skip this step).
  3. Bow deeply twice.
  4. Clap your hands twice.
  5. Put your hands together in front of your body.
  6. Pray and make a wish in silence.
  7. Bow deeply once again.