Do this now

Follow these steps in order.

  1. 01

    Stop at the purification pavilion before the prayer hall only when it is open for use.

  2. 02

    Hold the ladle in your right hand, take one scoop and pour a little water over your left hand.

  3. 03

    Move the ladle to your left hand and rinse your right hand.

  4. 04

    Return the ladle to your right hand, pour water into your cupped left palm and use that water to rinse your mouth.

  5. 05

    Do not touch the ladle to your mouth or swallow the water; dispose of it beside or at the base of the basin, not back into the basin.

  6. 06

    Rinse your left hand once more, clean the handle only if the posted or shrine-taught method includes it, then return the ladle where you found it.

What to know

Chozuya and temizuya mean the purification pavilion

The water pavilion near a shrine approach may be written as chozuya, chōzuya or temizuya in English. Its purpose is symbolic purification before paying respects at the prayer hall.

A Buddhist temple may also have a similar water pavilion. Use the same basic care with the ladle and basin, but remember that the prayer form after purification differs: the common shrine sequence includes clapping, while ordinary temple prayer does not.

What to know

Check whether the fountain is open

Do not assume every basin is ready for use. First look for ladles, flowing water and current instructions. A dry basin, flowers filling the basin, a barrier or a hands-only spout can indicate a different arrangement.

Never move a display, turn a tap not intended for visitors or reach across a closed basin. If the shrine has provided a touch-free stream or another method, use it exactly as posted.

What to know

Use one scoop without contaminating the basin

Sapporo’s official visitor guidance presents the full sequence as one scoop taken at the beginning. Use small amounts so the same ladleful can cover both hands, the mouth rinse and the final step.

Pour water over the hands outside the main basin where the pavilion is designed to drain. Do not dip used hands into the basin, wash personal items, fill a bottle or treat the water as a public drinking fountain.

What to know

Rinse the left hand, then the right

Hold the ladle in your right hand and pour water over the left hand. Transfer the ladle to your left hand, then pour water over the right.

Keep the ladle above the hands so the rim does not touch your skin. Move efficiently when other worshippers are waiting, and do not place a phone, bag or camera on the basin.

What to know

Pour mouth-rinsing water into your palm

Return the ladle to your right hand. Cup your left hand, pour a little water into the palm, then bring the palm toward your mouth.

Jinja Honcho specifically says not to touch the ladle to the mouth. Sapporo’s official guide also says not to transfer water directly from the ladle into the mouth or swallow it. Rinse lightly and dispose of the water toward the side or base of the fountain, never into the water basin.

If you prefer not to rinse your mouth, or a sign limits use to the hands, follow that choice or instruction without pretending to complete the step.

What to know

Finish without inventing an extra step

Jinja Honcho’s English instructions finish by rinsing the left hand again and returning the ladle. Some official local guidance, including Sapporo’s, also teaches lifting the ladle so the remaining water runs down the handle before it is returned.

Because published sequences are not identical in every detail, use the method shown at the shrine in front of you. Do not splash other visitors or raise the ladle over the basin when there is too little water to control safely.

What to know

Purification is preparation, not a performance

The ritual should be brief and quiet. Finish, return the equipment neatly and leave space for the next person before proceeding toward the prayer hall.

Using the water pavilion does not grant access to shrine buildings, closed areas or ceremonies. After purification, continue to the public worship point and follow the shrine’s prayer and photography rules.

If that does not work

Use the fallback.

  • If the water pavilion is closed, dry or blocked, skip it and continue respectfully to the worship area.
  • If there is no ladle, use only the hands-only or running-water method shown by the shrine.
  • If the disposal area is unclear, do not rinse your mouth; clean your hands only and avoid putting water back into the basin.
  • If the shrine’s diagram differs from this guide, follow the shrine’s diagram.
  • If you have already touched the ladle to your mouth, stop using it and tell shrine staff rather than returning it silently for the next person.

Before you need it

Save this offline.

  • The shrine’s official etiquette page
  • A photo or screenshot of the shrine’s posted purification diagram
  • Sequence: left hand, right hand, water from left palm to mouth, left hand again
  • Key rule: never touch the ladle to the mouth
  • Shrine name in Japanese for staff questions

Primary evidence

Official sources used

Open these pages again before travel. External links lead to the responsible Japanese authority or transport organization.

Jinja Honcho — Entering a JinjaOfficial English steps for rinsing the hands and mouth, disposing of the water and returning the ladle.
JNTO — Shrine and Temple TraditionsOfficial visitor guidance on the purification pavilion and the left-hand, right-hand and mouth sequence.
Sapporo Official Travel Guide — Visiting a ShrineOfficial local visitor instructions covering one-scoop use, no swallowing and the handle-rinsing finish.
Meiji Jingu — EtiquetteA major shrine’s official entry point for its current temizu and worship instructions and precinct rules.