WHAT TO DO AT WATER BASINS

At a shrine or temple, there will be a basin of water where you can “purify yourself”. Before going into the main grounds of a shrine or temple, people will usually wash their hands here. This is to ensure that you have cleansed yourself physically and spiritually before greeting the deity.

How to purify your body and mind:

1. Grab the water scoop with the right hand and scoop water. 

2. Wash the left hand with half the water

3. Then wash the right hand

4. Scoop water again and pour some into left hand to wash your mouth

5. Scoop water again and tilt the scoop towards you to let the water rinse the handle.

Water Basin at the entrance of a Shinto Shrine on our Tokyo tours