Shinto priests perform the rituals and are usually supported by young ladies (miko) in white kimonos. The young ladies must be unmarried; often they are daughters of priests. There are also a few female priests.

A newborn child is taken to a shrine to be initiated as a new adherent somewhere between thirty and 100 days after the birth. When boys are five years old and girls three years and seven years of age, they go to the shrine to give thanks for kami's protection and pray for healthy growth. This is done at the Shichi-go-san (Seven-Five-Three) festival on November 15. Another festival for young men to commemorate their twentieth year is celebrated on January 15.