手水舎Temizuya (purification fountain)
A water basin where visitors rinse their hands and mouth before praying. Everyone is welcome to use it, whatever their faith.
Some places differ, and the order at temples can differ from shrines. Follow any sign at the fountain.
How to recognise it
- Stone basin with flowing water
- Wooden ladles
- Often a dragon spout
Good to know
- Many purification fountains have dragon statues, because dragons are associated with water in Japan.
- At Kasuga Taisha, the water flows from a scroll held in a deer's mouth.
Where to see it
Nikkō Tōshō-gūFushimi Inari TaishaItsukushima Shrine (Miyajima)Kasuga TaishaMitomo ShrineIse Jingu (short version)Haraedo ShrineKaeru ShrineChichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage: Temple Stamps (Goshuin)Shirayama-Hime ShrineTakebe Taisha ShrineIzumi Shrine
撮Standing in front of one?Open the scanner and compare →