Temples, shrines and good manners

Each card shows the phrase, how to say it in English letters, and a short line using it. Tap "Show English" for the meaning and a note on when to say it, and tap the speaker to hear it.

1. G01
   写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですかShashin o totte mo ii des ka?temple
   すみません、ここで写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですか？
   Sumimasen, koko de shashin o totte mo ii des ka?
   may I take a photo? · Excuse me, may I take photos here?

   Ask inside halls and before photographing people. Photos are often not allowed inside temple buildings.
2. G02
   撮影禁止さつえいきんしSatsuei kinshi.sign
   ここは撮影禁止さつえいきんしです。
   Koko wa satsuei kinshi des.
   no photos (sign) · No photos here.

   You'll see it on signs. 禁止きんし means “not allowed”.
3. G03
   靴くつを脱ぬぎますかKutsu o nugimas ka?temple
   ここで靴くつを脱ぬぎますか？
   Koko de kutsu o nugimas ka?
   do I take my shoes off? · Do I take my shoes off here?

   Ask if you're not sure. There's often a step up or a shoe rack.
4. G04
   入はいってもいいですかHaitte mo ii des ka?temple
   中なかに入はいってもいいですか？
   Naka ni haitte mo ii des ka?
   may I go in? · May I go inside?

   Some areas are only for worship or are closed to visitors.
5. G05
   ここに座すわってもいいですかKoko ni suwatte mo ii des ka?everywhere
   この席せきに座すわってもいいですか？
   Kono seki ni suwatte mo ii des ka?
   may I sit here? · May I sit in this seat?

   Before taking a seat next to someone, or on steps at a temple.
6. G06
   拝観料はいかんりょうはいくらですかHaikanryō wa ikura des ka?temple
   拝観料はいかんりょうはいくらですか？
   Haikanryō wa ikura des ka?
   how much is the entry fee? (temple) · How much is the entry fee?

   Many temples charge a small fee to enter the grounds or garden.
7. G07
   御朱印ごしゅいんをお願ねがいしますGoshuin o onegai shimas.temple
   すみません、御朱印ごしゅいんをお願ねがいします。
   Sumimasen, goshuin o onegai shimas.
   a temple or shrine stamp, please · Excuse me, a temple stamp, please.

   A hand-written inscription with a red seal, in a special book, for a small fee. Temples and shrines both offer them. Pray first, then ask.
8. G08
   おみくじはどこで引ひけますかOmikuji wa doko de hikemas ka?shrine
   おみくじはどこで引ひけますか？
   Omikuji wa doko de hikemas ka?
   where can I get a fortune? · Where can I get a fortune slip?

   Fortune slips cost a small amount. If yours is bad, you can tie it up at the shrine and leave it behind.
9. G09
   並ならんでいますかNarande imas ka?everywhere
   すみません、この列れつに並ならんでいますか？
   Sumimasen, kono retsu ni narande imas ka?
   are you in the queue? · Excuse me, are you in this queue?

   When you're not sure where a queue ends.
10. G10
    ゴミ箱ばこはありますかGomibako wa arimas ka?everywhere
    すみません、ゴミ箱ばこはありますか？
    Sumimasen, gomibako wa arimas ka?
    is there a bin? · Excuse me, is there a bin?

    Bins are rare. Shops that sell food and drink often have one for their customers.
11. G11
    ここで食たべてもいいですかKoko de tabete mo ii des ka?everywhere
    これ、ここで食たべてもいいですか？
    Kore, koko de tabete mo ii des ka?
    may I eat here? · May I eat this here?

    At a stall or shop, ask rather than eating as you walk.
12. G12
    どうぞDōzo.everywhere
    どうぞ、お先さきに。
    Dōzo, osaki ni.
    please, go ahead · Please, after you.

    When you let someone go first or offer something.
13. G13
    ごめんなさいGomen nasai.everywhere
    ごめんなさい、間違まちがえました。
    Gomen nasai, machigaemashta.
    I'm sorry · Sorry, I made a mistake.

    A personal “I'm sorry”, a bit soft and familiar. With strangers, すみません is safer.
14. G14
    失礼しつれいしましたShitsurei shimashta.everywhere
    あ、失礼しつれいしました。
    A, shitsurei shimashta.
    sorry about that · Oh, I'm so sorry.

    A polite sorry for a small slip, like opening the wrong door.

A shrine (神社じんじゃ) usually has a red or wooden gate called a torii. A temple (お寺てら) often has incense and a large hall.

• Queue and wait. People queue neatly for trains, lifts and food. Join the end of the line.
• Take your rubbish with you. There are few public bins. Carry a small bag and take rubbish back to your hotel, or use the bins at convenience stores where they're for customers.
• Eat where you buy. In many places, people don't eat while walking. Stand near the shop or stall to finish your food.
• Shoes off. Take your shoes off at homes, ryokan rooms and many temple halls. Look for a step up, a shoe rack or slippers.

Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.

1. 1. May I take a photo?
   Show answer
2. 2. Do I take my shoes off?
   Show answer
3. 3. May I go in?
   Show answer
4. 4. May I sit here?
   Show answer
5. 5. How much is the entry fee?
   Show answer
6. 6. A temple stamp, please.
   Show answer
7. 7. Are you in the queue?
   Show answer
8. 8. Is there a bin?
   Show answer
9. 9. Please, after you.
   Show answer
10. 10. Oh, I'm sorry. (small slip)
    Show answer