Shinto shrine

Hi there!This is Chika from J-Hoppers Hiroshima guesthouse.

It is getting warmer and warmer lately which means spring is around the corner.

The Japanese spring is extremely beautiful and full of cherry blossoms.

There are lots of good places for cherry-blossom viewing　 in Hiroshima.

My favorite place is Miyajima island.

It takes around 1hour from Hiroshima city .But it is worth to visit there.

When you visit the island, you would see beautiful cherry-blossom and a huge RED TORII gate at Itsukushima shrine.

 For your in formation,when you visit to shirine,

Visitors wash their hands and rinse their mouths at the wash-stand of a shrine.

Ladle some water and then wash your left hand,right hand,and then the handle for the next person.

(The water is not drinkable!!)

In the from of the sanctuary,ring the bell or gong softly first.

Then,bow twice ,clap your hands twice,and pray while pressing your hands

together in front of your chest with your eyes closed.

Bow again to finish.Keep silent in front of the sanctuary to show respect.   

if you have a chance to visit shirine in near the future.

Please try this method at the shrine!!