You don’t really “become” Shinto in a formal way. Unlike Buddhism, Christianity, or other religions, Shinto has no baptism, no dogma, no holy texts and no individual founder.
Shinto is about living with respect for nature, all living things, our ancestors and others. So, if you feel drawn to it, you can start by appreciating nature, showing gratitude, and keeping a sense of harmony in your daily life.
The best way to understand Shinto is by practicing it.
Like a martial art, it cannot be fully understood just by reading. You can study books about martial arts, but without training in a dōjō, you will not really gain true understanding or skill. The same is often true for Shinto, especially because many English language sources are not very reliable.
Begin with awareness of Kami-sama (spirits or sacred presences in nature, ancestors, and living things).
Practice gratitude and show appreciation and respect towards nature, yourself and others around you.
Keep your surroundings clean and live in harmony with others and your environment.
You can find more details on Shinto in our Q&A or in our public Youtube Playlist.
To show respect and gratitude towards Kami-sama, you can follow these simple steps:
Bow deeply twice, Clap twice, Bow deeply once more.
Bows should be a deep bow of 90 degrees, palms covering the knee caps. Put your hands together, at chest level, and clap twice. Slide the right hand back slightly before clapping. Keep your hands together at chest level while expressing your gratitude and appreciation to Kami-sama. Perform another deep bow.
If you do not have a Kamidana or Ofuda at home, you can just do this Basic Prayer in nature or at home facing towards nature or a window to the outside.
We hold monthly and seasonal ceremonies where we show our respect, express gratitude, and communicate our wishes to the Kami-sama. It is a great way to practice and learn more about Shinto.
You can join us on our YouTube channel and participate in our ceremony livestreams.
Youtube: @ShintoInari
Throughout the year, we also host in-person events, such as Oshōgatsu and Aki-matsuri, where you can visit our Pop-Up Shrine and participate in person. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming events and announcements.
🔸 Instagram (ShintoInari)
🔸 Facebook (ShintoInari)
🔸 X – Twitter (@shintoinari)
🔸 Bluesky (@shintoinari.bsky.social)
You might also like:
I’m new to Shinto. How can I get started?
Shrine Etiquette and How to Pray
Who can practice Shinto?
Do You Have a Shinto Teacher or Instructor?
