When staying in Japan, chances are you'll come across a Shinto shrine at some point. There are around 80,000 registered shrines under the Jinja Honcho (Association of Shinto Shrines), and some estimates suggest the total number — including unregistered ones — may exceed 300,000 . With so many shrines scattered across the country, you might wonder: “What are the proper manners when visiting one?” Let's walk through the basic etiquette step by step. 1. Passing Through the Torii Gate At the entrance, you'll see a torii — the iconic gate marking the transition from the everyday world to sacred space. Before stepping through, bow once in front of the torii to show respect. 2. Walking Along the Sando (Pathway) After the torii, there's usually a sando (参道) — the pathway leading to the shrine building. Traditionally, the center of the sando is reserved for the kami (deities), so it's considered polite to walk along the sides instead. 3. Purifying at the Tem...