Question
I’m planning to visit a temple in Kyoto, but I’m not familiar with the customs and etiquette. How do I politely ask someone “How should I behave at the temple?” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
お寺（てら）ではどのようにすればいいですか。
Otera de wa dono youni sureba ii desuka?
How should I behave at the temple?
When visiting temples in Japan, it’s important to follow the local customs and show respect. The phrase “dono youni sureba ii desuka?” means “how should I (act)?” You begin with “otera de wa” which means “at the temple.” This sentence allows you to seek guidance on proper behavior in various situations.
Additionally, you may want to know specific activities like how to pray or activities to avoid doing. Here’s how you can extend your query with key words:
– お参り（まいり）はどうすればいいですか？(Omairi wa dou sureba ii desuka?) — How should I offer my prayers?
– してはいけないことはありますか？(Shite wa ikenai koto wa arimasuka?) — Are there things I shouldn’t do?
