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Temizu Purification|How to Purify Your Hands and Mouth at a Shrine

Near the entrance of a shrine you will find a water basin called the temizuya. Before praying, visitors purify their hands and mouth here. This is called temizu. It looks complicated, but once you know the order, anyone can do it.

What temizu means

Temizu is a way to cleanse your body and mind before standing before the deity. In ancient times people purified their whole bodies in rivers or the sea (misogi); temizu is said to be a simple version of that, using only the hands and mouth.

As you purify yourself, let go of everyday thoughts and approach the hall with a calm heart.

Step by step

The key is to do every step with the single ladle of water you scoop at the start, so use the water a little at a time.

Hold the ladle (hishaku) in your right hand, scoop water, and pour a little over your left hand.
Switch the ladle to your left hand and rinse your right hand.
Switch back to your right hand. Pour water into your cupped left palm and rinse your mouth with it.
Rinse your left hand once more.
Tilt the ladle upright so the remaining water runs down and rinses the handle. Put the ladle back quietly, face down.

Spit the water quietly into the drain at your feet — never back into the basin.

Things to avoid

Putting your lips on the ladle: always pour the water into your left palm first.
Putting your hands into the basin: scoop with the ladle and rinse your hands outside the basin.
Scooping again and again: one scoop for all the steps is the basic rule.

When there is no ladle

For hygiene reasons, many shrines now have running water from a bamboo spout instead of ladles. In that case, use the running water in the same order (left hand → right hand → mouth → left hand). If you would rather not rinse your mouth, rinsing your hands is fine.

Some shrines decorate the basin with floating flowers (hanachozu). They are beautiful to photograph — just be careful not to block other visitors.

Bring a handkerchief

Your hands will be wet afterwards, so a small towel or handkerchief is handy. Then head to the main hall — see “How to Pray at a Shrine” for the next steps.

After your visit, try today’s omikuji fortune

Draw today’s omikuji

⛩️ How to Pray at a Shrine|From the Torii Gate to Two Bows, Two Claps, One BowA step-by-step, illustrated guide to praying at a Japanese Shinto shrine: bowing at the torii, walking the approach, offerings and the bell, and the “two bows, two claps, one bow” prayer. 🏯 Shrines vs. Temples|Do You Clap or Not?Japanese shrines and temples have different etiquette. Learn the differences — torii vs. sanmon gates, clapping vs. silent prayer, bells, incense and more — with an illustrated comparison.

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