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Question
I’m planning to visit a temple in Kyoto, and I’ve heard it’s polite to say a greeting when entering. Can you tell me how to properly greet when entering a temple in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
こんにちは、ご参拝（さんぱい）ありがとうございます。
Konnichiwa, go-sanpai arigatou gozaimasu.
Hello, thank you for visiting.
When visiting a temple in Japan, it’s a good practice to greet appropriately. “Konnichiwa” means “hello” and is used during the day. “Go-sanpai arigatou gozaimasu” means “thank you for visiting,” where “sanpai” refers to worship or a temple visit. It shows respect to the place you are about to enter.
Additionally, it’s important to follow temple etiquette like bowing slightly before entering the temple grounds, cleansing your hands and mouth at the chozuya (purification fountain), and maintaining a quiet demeanor during your visit.
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