Sando

The sando is the approach path that leads from a shrine or temple's entrance towards its main hall. At many shrines the walk begins at a torii gate and continues past pairs of guardian statues, stone lanterns, and old trees; at temples it may run from the outer gate through the precinct grounds. The path is not merely a route but part of the visit itself, a gradual passage from the everyday world into sacred space.

A few points of etiquette are worth knowing. At shrines the centre of the sando, known as the seichu, is traditionally regarded as the way of the kami, so worshippers keep to one side rather than walking straight down the middle. Many people also pause and give a slight bow when passing beneath a torii. These customs are gentler at temples, where the central line carries less significance. If you are new to visiting, our guide to shrines and temples explains these differences in more detail.

It is easy to confuse the sando with the torii or the gate that stands at its head. The torii or temple gate marks the boundary you cross, while the sando is the path you walk once you are through it. Longer, well-established sando are sometimes lined with shops selling amulets, sweets, and local specialities, and in a few famous cases the approach has grown into a lively street in its own right.