Chōzuya

A chōzuya is a special place in a Japanese temple or shrine where people go to purify themselves before they enter the main area where they worship or pray.

It works like a big sink with running water, where you are supposed to wash your hands and rinse your mouth. First, you need to take a ladle filled with water and pour it over one hand, then the other, and finally use the remaining water in the ladle to rinse your mouth. You should spit the water outside the basin and not back into it.

The reason why people do this is to cleanse their body and mind from impurities and show their respect for the gods by entering the main building in a purified state. It's like taking a shower before you go to bed or a bath before you go to the swimming pool.

People believe that if you don't purify yourself before praying, your wishes won't come true, or worse, you may offend the gods. Therefore, it's essential to use the chōzuya before you enter the temple or shrine.

In summary, chōzuya is a cool and essential place in Japan's religious culture, where people wash their hands and rinse their mouth to show respect to the gods and purify themselves.