There are many historical temples in Japan.
Pass under a gate called “Sanmon” and go into the temple ground. At the both side of sanmon, usually there are a pair of guardians of the temple called “Nio”. (the accented syllable is “o”)
Some shrines also have a sanmon and nio.
How to offer a prayer at a temple
This is a common manner, some temples have their own manner of worship. Please follow an instruction.
1. Purify your hands and mouth at Temizusha. (see this page)
2. Make a small bow in front of the main hall called “Hondo”.
3. Put hands together and close your eyes, and bowing down.
* Don’t clap at a temple unlike in the case of a shrine.
** Make a small bow at Sanmon facing to the main hall before and after worship.
** Make a small bow at Sanmon facing to the main hall before and after worship.
