Removing shoes is the custom in Japan before entering temples, shrines, homes and other places. Carpets sure do stay cleaner longer! Dirty or stinky feet or embarrassed - no problem wash them and purify them and your hands, the means are provided everywhere in Japan.
Every shrine and temple seen in Japan has some similar fountain to purify those coming to such places. In the picture above, one dips the long handled ladle to fill from under the stream of water. Often people drink from this as well as pouring some of the water over their head, hands and feet. The water is allowed to run off into the stone OUTSIDE of the fresh water so it remains pure.
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