Upon entering the precincts of a Shinto Shrine you will usually find a purification fountain (similar to the one pictured on the right) off to one side where visitors who wish to pray should stop to cleanse themselves before proceeding further.

At all Shinto shrines, worshippers and casual visitors are asked to purify themselves (Harai) of impurity before praying to the Shinto deities. The act of cleansing is called Misogi, and the actual washing of hands and mouth with water is called Temizu. An associated term is Imi, meaning “abstention from defilement.”

Source: Japanese Buddhist Statuary, Purification by Water

The purification process is simple:

1. Hold the dipper in your right hand and pour water from the fountain onto your left hand.
2. Reverse the procedure to purify your right hand.
3. More the dipper back to your right hand and pour a small amount of water into your left hand and bring the water to your mouth.  Do not drink directly from the dipper or swallow the water, spit it out on the stones at the base of the purification fountain.

Now that you are free from impurities, approach the offering box in the front of the main shrine building, bow to the altar twice, say your prayer, clap your hands together twice, and bow once again before you turn to leave .  If you are so inclined, toss a few Yen into the offering box to show your appreciation.

Lastly, please keep in mind that a shrine is not just a sightseeing destination but a place of worship for many local people and should be treated with the same reverence that you would accord to any place of worship.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection