Religion & Temples

1. 靴を脱いでください

   ku-tsu wo nu-i-de ku-da-sa-i

   Please remove your shoes

   Usage

   Used at shrines, temples, or homes to ask someone to take off their shoes

   Grammar Note

   "Nugu" means to take off clothing or footwear. Removing shoes at shrine and temple entrances is Japanese etiquette

2. 写真を撮ってもいいですか？

   sha-shin wo to-t-te mo i-i de-su ka?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Used to ask for permission to take photos at shrines, temples, or other religious sites

   Grammar Note

   Some areas of religious sites prohibit photography. Watch for "satsuei kinshi" (no photography) signs

3. 参拝の作法を教えていただけますか？

   san-pai no sa-hō wo o-shi-e-te i-ta-da-ke-ma-su ka?

   Could you teach me the proper way to pray?

   Usage

   Politely asks how to pray correctly at a shrine or temple

   Grammar Note

   At Shinto shrines, the standard form is two bows, two claps, one bow ("ni-rei ni-hakushu ichi-rei")

4. お守りをください

   o-ma-mo-ri wo ku-da-sa-i

   I would like an amulet, please

   Usage

   Used to buy an amulet (omamori) at a shrine or temple counter

   Grammar Note

   "Omamori" are protective charms sold at shrines and temples for health, love, exams, etc. They are "granted" not "sold"

5. ここは立入禁止ですか？

   ko-ko wa ta-chi-i-ri-kin-shi de-su ka?

   Is this area off-limits?

   Usage

   Used to check whether an area is restricted or sacred and off-limits to visitors

   Grammar Note

   "Tachiiri kinshi" is a compound word. "Kinshi" means "prohibited". Common on signs throughout Japan

6. おみくじを引いてみたいです

   o-mi-ku-ji wo hi-i-te mi-ta-i de-su

   I would like to try drawing a fortune slip

   Usage

   Used to express the desire to draw a fortune slip (omikuji) at a shrine or temple

   Grammar Note

   "~te miru" expresses trying something out. Omikuji ranks: daikichi (best), kichi, chūkichi, shōkichi, suekichi, kyō (worst)

7. 手水舎はどこですか？

   te-mi-zu-ya wa do-ko de-su ka?

   Where is the purification fountain?

   Usage

   Used to find the water purification basin before entering a shrine

   Grammar Note

   "Temizuya" or "chōzuya" is a water basin near shrine entrances for ritual purification of hands and mouth

8. お賽銭はいくら入れればいいですか？

   o-sai-sen wa i-ku-ra i-re-re-ba i-i de-su ka?

   How much should I put in the offertory box?

   Usage

   Used to ask how much money to put in the shrine or temple offertory box

   Grammar Note

   5-yen coins are popular as "goen" sounds like "good connection/luck". "~reba ii desu ka" asks for advice

9. この神社の由来を教えてください

   ko-no jin-ja no yu-ra-i wo o-shi-e-te ku-da-sa-i

   Please tell me about the history of this shrine

   Usage

   Used to learn about the history or the deity enshrined at a particular shrine

   Grammar Note

   "Yurai" refers to origin or historical background. It can be replaced with "rekishi" (history) for the same meaning

10. このお寺は何宗ですか？

    ko-no o-te-ra wa nan-shū de-su ka?

    What Buddhist sect does this temple belong to?

    Usage

    Used to ask which Buddhist sect or denomination a temple belongs to

    Grammar Note

    Japanese Buddhism includes Zen, Jōdo, Shingon and many other sects. "-shū" is the suffix for Buddhist denomination

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