Japanese Local Travel Guide – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Hidden Gems in Japan Foreigner friends often ask me,about
the difference between Japanese Temple and Shrine.
When Japanese people understand it, we had some point of the features.
目次
1, The gate
The shrine = Torii Gate (鳥居）
The temple = Sanmon Gate（山門）
2, Goshintai (御神体） and Gohonzon（御本尊）
Enshrined in the shrine = Goshintai (御神体）
Enshrined in the temple =Gohonzon（御本尊）
3, Komainu(狛犬）and Bonsho(梵鐘）
There is Komainu(狛犬）in the shrine.
There is Bonsho(梵鐘）in the temple.
4, Features of the building
The shrine building is simple.
They are often painted Japanese red color(朱＝Shu).
The shrine roofs are made of wooden bark(檜皮：Hiwada）
The temple building has many sculptures and paintings
on walls or pillars.
The temple roofs are made of roof tiles(瓦:Kawara).
5. How to pray
The shrine = Clap your hand (twice) in front of the main hall.
The temple = Put your palms together in front of the main hall.
(Please do not clap your hands)
