Question
I’ve been in Japan for a while and recently started helping out at a small temple near where I’m staying, welcoming visitors close to the gate. I’d love to greet people and thank them for coming the same graceful way the temple staff do. How do I say “Hello, thank you for visiting” in Japanese?
Answer by Professional Japanese Teacher
こんにちは、ご参拝ありがとうございます。
Konnichiwa, go-sanpai arigatou gozaimasu.
Hello, thank you for visiting.
This is exactly the warm welcome temple and shrine staff use to thank people for coming. Konnichiwa means “hello” and carries you through the daytime. Go-sanpai arigatou gozaimasu means “thank you for visiting,” where sanpai (参拝) refers specifically to visiting a shrine or temple to worship, not just any visit.
Because sanpai carries that worship meaning, this exact phrase belongs in a shrine or temple setting like yours. Said near the gate, it tells visitors you’re glad they made the trip to a sacred place. If you ever welcome guests somewhere more everyday, like a home, a shop, or an event, a warm arigatou gozaimasu on its own does the job, without the worship-specific sanpai.
A small bow as you say it, and the welcome lands warmly.