Why do some Japanese people clap their hands when they pray for something at the temple?

Question: Why do some Japanese people clap their hands when they pray for something at the temple?
Answer: It's taught clapping your hands is a common practice when you pray at the temple or a shrine and the reasons behind this practice are quite unknown to many Japanese. Since it Buddhism and Shintoism have co-existed in Japan for centuries it's not clear where this tradition stems from.