Visiting Buddhist Temples in Japan

While in Japan in March and April we would like to visit a number of temples. In the cooler climate at that time of year I would generally travel in jeans or trousers. As a woman would that type of clothing be acceptable?

Yes, that would be no problem. There is no strict dress code for visiting temples as a tourist.

Thank you.

Would you also know whether, as a Buddhist but practicing in the Tibetan tradition, if it would be acceptable locally to either meditate or make prostrations at a Buddhist temple in Japan?

I am looking forward to visiting these places very much and would not want to cause any offence.

You will have to make arrangements with the temples in advance if you wish to meditate, and you will most likely need an interpreter unless you can find a temple with an abbot or monk who speaks good English.

Prostrating is not the usual form of worship at a Japanese Buddhist temple, and in most cases visitors are only allowed to the front of the temple, not inside, so you would be standing on wooden stairs or a stone path. While you would be unlikely to cause offence by prostrating, you would certainly attract a lot of attention.

Why not follow the Japanese tradition when visiting Japanese temples?