Think of harae as the spiritual rinse cycle that keeps the world of kami humming in harmony. At its heart, purification rituals sweep away kegare—impurities tied to anything from illness and death to everyday mishaps—so that people and nature can stand in clear, respectful connection with the divine.

Early morning visits to a Shinto shrine often begin at the temizuya, where gentle streams of water offer a simple, tactile way to wash hands and rinse mouths. It isn’t about guilt or shame. Instead, it’s like hitting the “refresh” button on one’s spirit: a moment to acknowledge human fragility, then leave it at the water’s edge. Bigger events—weddings, seasonal festivals or even sumo tournaments—bring out more elaborate harae, from waving sacred branches (tamagushi) to scattering salt in a dramatic flourish. Last year’s Tokyo sumo bash still showed wrestlers tossing salt into the ring; that crisp crunch underfoot isn’t just tradition, but a symbolic barrier against negativity.

Purification isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s woven into daily life and major celebrations alike, from New Year’s hatsumode cleanings to personal misogi rituals under mountain waterfalls. In an era buzzing with screens and deadlines, these age-old practices offer a reminder: life flows smoother when mind, body and spirit stay in sync.