Casual — to friend
Cultural · Religion
初詣は、二礼二拍手一礼の順だよ。お賽銭は鈴を鳴らす前に。 — For hatsumoude, the order is two bows, two claps, one bow. Drop the offering in before ringing the bell. (Cultural · Religion, Casual — to friend, JLPT N4)
You
初詣は、二礼二拍手一礼の順だよ。お賽銭は鈴を鳴らす前に。
はつもうでは、にれいにはくしゅいちれいのじゅんだよ。おさいせんはすずをならすまえに。
For hatsumoude, the order is two bows, two claps, one bow. Drop the offering in before ringing the bell.
Romaji: Hatsumoude wa, nirei-nihakushu-ichirei no jun da yo. Osaisen wa suzu wo narasu mae ni. / Reply Romaji: Omairi no sahou, oboete okou.
Reply
お参りの作法、覚えておこう。
おまいりのさほう、おぼえておこう。
I'll remember the prayer order.
Gesture & etiquette
Demonstrate the sequence with hands — two slow bows from the waist, two claps at chest height (right hand slightly lower than left for fortune), bow head silently for prayer, one final bow. At Buddhist temples, do NOT clap (silent palms-together instead).
Shinto shrine worship order at 初詣 (first shrine visit of the year, Jan 1-3): 1) Bow lightly at the torii before entering. 2) Walk avoiding the center path (神様の通り道). 3) Wash hands at temizu. 4) At the shrine, drop coin into the box. 5) Ring the bell. 6) Two deep bows (二礼). 7) Two claps (二拍手). 8) Pray silently. 9) One final bow (一礼). Most common 5-yen coin (ご縁 = good connection).