Posts in Etiquette & Common Questions

Wondering what to wear to a Shinto shrine in Japan? Learn whether shorts, sandals, bare shoulders, and hats are okay, plus rules for formal prayer.

Can You Take Photos at a Shinto Shrine? Photography Etiquette in Japan If you are visiting a Shinto shrine in […]

Can someone else get a goshuin for you in Japan? Learn what goshuin represent, why bulk proxy collection can cause problems, and why some shrines[…]

Can you visit a Shinto shrine without praying? Yes. Learn why people also visit shrines for festivals, culture, goshuin, scenery, and how to enjoy them

Why do people clap at Shinto shrines in Japan? Learn what the two claps mean, why some shrines differ, and why you normally should not[…]

Do you really need a 5-yen coin at a Japanese shrine? Learn why 5 yen is considered lucky, other popular offering amounts, and how much[…]

Do you have to bow at a torii gate in Japan? Learn why people bow, how to do it, whether to bow when leaving, and[…]

Worried about praying the wrong way at a Japanese shrine? Learn what happens if you forget a bow, clap the wrong number of times, or[…]

Why shouldn’t you walk in the center of a Japanese shrine path? Learn what the custom means, whether it is a strict rule, and what[…]

Is it disrespectful to visit a Shinto shrine if you’re not Shinto? Learn proper etiquette, cultural insights, and how to visit shrines respectfully in Japan.