Prohibited actions and behavior, protocol at temples

Rules

Japan has various different customs which depend on a given place and situation. Following are the basic rules that we would like to have tourists obey.

What to refrain from doing!

• Taking photos inside of buildings, including temples and shrines, is generally prohibited. It is best to refrain from taking photos even at places where it is not posted.
• Eating and drinking is prohibited inside of most traditional buildings.
• It is best not to touch sliding doors, pull doors, hanging lattices and other fittings when it is not necessary to do so. Since these cultural properties are merely fitted into their running grooves, not only are they apt to become detached but they might also be damaged as a result.

Etiquette

• It is a custom in Japan to remove your shoes before entering houses, the chapels at temples and shrines, and certain other buildings. After taking off your shoes, they should be placed neatly to the side.
• The local towns manage the temples and shrines in Kyoto, and the worshippers live nearby. Please refrain from making noise in the precincts, but rather visit these sacred places in silence. Even if you are unable to visit them for religious reasons, you should nevertheless be quiet when viewing them.

Protocol When Visiting Temples and Shrines

People visit a temple or shrine to worship the Shinto deity or Buddha enshrined there.

Temples

• Buddhist temples have what is called a main temple building. The principal image (the most important Buddhist image at the temple) is enshrined in the main temple building. When standing before this image, worshippers put their hands together to pray.

Shrines

• Shrines have what is called a main shrine building. (It is the largest building in the shrine precincts.) The shrine deity is enshrined in the main shrine building. If there is an offertory box there, people put money inside the box, ring the bell and offer a prayer. Then they stand up straight and respectfully to pray again. After that they clap their hands together twice to pray once again.