Have you ever seen Japanese people bowing and clapping their hands in front of a shrine?
Here I’d like to share with you how we pray in general and why we clap our hands.
How to pray at a Shinto shrine: 6 Steps
1. Bow deeply twice.
2. Clap your hands twice.
3. Say your name and address in your head.
4. Thank the deity politely for everything it has done for you.
5. Make a wish. (You shouldn’t make too many requests; limit yourself to just one.)
6. Bow deeply once again. (This signifies the end of the prayer.)
A reason for clapping our hands:
It is said that why we clap our hands because clapping our hands shows our respect to the deities.
Now you know the proper customs to observe at a Shinto shrine.
When you visit, you will be able to follow the Japanese customs!
