Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Religion
すみません、こちらの神社の参拝の仕方を教えていただけますか？ — Excuse me, could you teach me how to worship at this shrine? (Cultural · Religion, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N5)
You
すみません、こちらの神社の参拝の仕方を教えていただけますか？
すみません、こちらのじんじゃのさんぱいのしかたをおしえていただけますか？
Excuse me, could you teach me how to worship at this shrine?
Romaji: Sumimasen, kochira no jinja no sanpai no shikata o oshiete itadakemasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, mochiron desu. Mazu temizuya de te o kiyomete kara…
Reply
はい、もちろんです。まず手水舎で手を清めてから…
はい、もちろんです。まずてみずやでてをきよめてから…
Of course. First, please purify your hands at the water basin, and then…
Gesture & etiquette
Small bow when asking (15 degrees). Listen attentively, mimic their gestures softly to indicate understanding. Avoid pointing at the main hall (honden) — gesture toward it with an open palm if needed. Speak in a quieter voice than usual; shrines are reverent spaces.
Shinto shrine etiquette varies by location, so asking shows respect rather than ignorance. The standard sequence is: bow at the torii gate, purify hands and mouth at the temizuya (water basin), then at the main hall — toss a coin, bow twice, clap twice, pray silently, bow once more. Photographing the main hall interior is typically forbidden; always check signage.