Shrines and Temples in Japan
Shrines (神社)
Shrines in Japan refer to Shinto shrines, they are referred to as jinja (神社). Inside the shrine resides a kami or god that the shrine is devoted to. Most shrines have torii gates that mark the entrance of the shrine. The shrine has a main hall called a honden,a worship hall called a haiden and an offering hall called a heide(8).
The entrance of Shinto shrine will have a torii gate, which you should bow at before entering. Conintuing up the path you will usually as a water base with ladles, this is called a chōzuya or a temizuya. At the temizuya you should purify your self following steps, dipping the scoop into the water only once.
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Pick up the ladle with your right hand.
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Dip the ladle into the water.
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Poor the water on your left hand.
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Repeat the process with your left hand.
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Pour water on to your left hand
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Drink the water from your hand
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Swish the water in your moth and the spit it to the side.
At the shrine you may pray, and make an offering the kami. The offering box will be at the haiden, the offering hall. Follow the following steps when making an offering. A 100 yen coin is a typical offering at shrines.
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If there is a gong or a bell ring it to call the kami to the shrine.
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Take two 90° bows at the shrine.
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Pray quietly to the the kami.
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Clap twice after your prayer.
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Take a final bow, and leave the haiden.
Temples (寺)
The term temple or “ji” (寺) is used to describe a Buddhist temple. Sometimes the pronunciation is “tera/dera” with the kanji (寺). When the temple is smaller may be referred to using the kanji 院、pronounced as “in”. There are many Buddhist sects in Japan, when possible I have listed the sect that corresponds to each temple in this guide book. There are overlaps from in Shinto shrines in Buddhist temples, and vice versa. For example when you enter a Buddhist temple there may be a torii gate at the entrance. Common features of buddhist temples include Butsu-dō or hall of buddha, where the temples buddha or bodhisattva statue is enshrined. There are often tahōtō, a Japanese pagoda on the temple grounds, and a shōrō a bell tower on the grounds(9).
Praying at a Buddhist temple is similar to praying at Shinto shrine. When you cross under the main gate, the sanmon you should bow. There most likely will also be chōzuya. You will follow the same steps you did at a Shinto shrine. There may be a bell tower at the temple, you should ring the bell to greet Buddha before you pray.
Unlike the Shinto shrine there will most likely be incense or candles near the main temple. Light the candle or incense before continuing to the main temple. You may have to pay for these.
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Bow once at the main temple.
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Make your monetary offering.
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If there is a temple bell or gong, ring gently.
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Clasp your hands together palm-to-palm at your chest.
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Bow again after completing your prayer, leaving with your hands still clasp.
Jizo (地蔵)
All around Japan it is likely you will encounter Jizo (地蔵), which generally in the form of small stone statues. Jizo (地蔵) is a bodhisattva (菩薩), and is often refered to as O-Jizo-Sama. They are usually found at intersections, riverbanks or where land meets the sea. The reason for this is that they are meant to represent the crossroads from life to death. Jizo (地蔵) is mainly considered to protector of souls of children who die before their parents, were still born or aborted. The children are unable to cross the river Sanzu River, and must use stones collected from the river to make towers. At night demons come to knock the stones over, preventing the children from collecting merit. Jizo protects the souls of these children.
Jizo also protects travelers, and the forgotten graves of ancestors. In Japanese cemeteries you often see gravestones that have fallen apart but are tied together with red bibs. This symbolizes the prayers and emotions of a family. Jizo are often dressed with bibs or knit caps by those who care for the statues. When you pass by O-Jizo-Sama stop and say hello and thank you.
This information is taken from tokainaturetrail.com and Hiking the Tokai Nature Trail: A complete guide.