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Shrine or Temple? The 2-Minute Guide That Saves You From Embarrassment

Essential Japanese Manners

Shrine or Temple? The 2-Minute Guide That Saves You From Embarrassment

2 min

You see a torii gate. Shrine. You see a Buddha statue. Temple. But the rituals are completely different. Episode 8 gives you the 2-minute guide to praying properly at both — purification, bowing, clapping, donations, and the unwritten photo rules.

Show notes

Torii gate=Shrine(Shinto). Buddha/Pagoda=Temple(Buddhist). Shrine ritual: bow at torii, walk side path, temizuya purification, 5yen offering, bow-bow-clap-clap-bow. Temple ritual: NO clapping, hands together, bow once. Photos: outdoor OK, never inside main hall, never flash near religious objects.