Let's go to the Shrine on New Year's Day (Hatsumode)
Japanese people visiting shrine on New Year's Day. It's called "Hatsumode"
How to visit a shrine
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) / Shibuya 明治神宮
This shrine is well-known to gather visitors of Hatsumode (person's first visit to a shrine) the most in Japan during New Year.
About visiting the shrine
Schedule of opening and closing (tentative)
31st of December : From 6:40 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. * During this time, you can visit the shrine and pray anytime.
The New Year's Day : From 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
2nd of January : From 6:40 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
3rd of January : From 6:40 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
4th of January : From 6:40 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
* During the New Year, these schedules may be changed.
* During seeing the old year out and the New Year in, they will not be closed.
Access
Harajuku exit (South) : 1 minute on foot from "Harajuku station" (JR line) or "Meijijingu station" (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line, Fukutoshin line)
Yoyogi exit (North) : 5 minutes on foot from "Yoyogi station" (JR line, Toei subway Oedo line) or "Kitasando station" (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin line)
Sangubashi exit (West) : 5 minutes on foot from "Sangubashi station" (Odakyu line)
JR Harajuku station "temporary exit" (tentative)
31st of December : From 11:00 p.m. to midnight
The New Year's Day: To 5:00 p.m.
From 2nd to 4th of January : To 5:00 p.m.
* This platform is available for the outer track of the JR Yamanote Line (toward Shinjuku, Ikebukuro) only.
* During this time, please pay attention that you can get the trains toward Shinjuku and Ikebukuro at this temporary platform only.
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Senso-ji / Asakusa 浅草寺
If you would like to feel real Japanese New Year, visiting Asakusa is the best for Hatsumode (person's first visit to a shrine).
About visiting the shrine
Date : From The New Year Day to 7th of January * On the New Year's day, Joya no Kane (bells ringing out the old year) will be tolled at Shoro, Benten mountain at 0:00 a.m.
Place : Hondo (Main temple)
Access : Approx.5 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station
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Kanda Shrine (Kanda-myojin) / Kanda 神田明神
Kanda Shrine is famous for business success. This must be the location thought to be flowing with mystical energy for businessmen. You can reach there on foot from Akihabara.
About visiting the shrine
Time of "Sanpai" (Worship)
The New Year's Day : From 0:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
From The New Year's Day to 4th of January : From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
From 5th to 4th of January : From 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
From 8th to 31st of January : From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"Hatsuho-ryo" (ceremony fee)
The temple expels evil spirits : From 7,000JPY
Personal supplication : 5,000JPY, 1,000JPY, From 30,000JPY
Business supplication : From 30,000JPY
Access : Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Ochanomizu Station / Approx. 7 miutes on foot from Akihabara Station
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Yushima Tenman-gu Shrine / Yushima 湯島天満宮
Yusima-Tenmangu is famous for studies. Good for wishing your success of exams. You can reach there on foot from Ueno station.
About visiting the shrine
Time table for the reception of the supplication
January 1 / 0:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
From January 2 / 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
January 6 / 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
January 7 / 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
From January 8 / 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Access : Approx. 2 minutes on foot from Yushima Station / Approx. 8 miutes on foot from Okachimachi Station
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Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine / Kyoto 伏見稲荷大社
Taking about Hatsumode (person's first visit to a shrine) in Kyoto, Fushimiinari-shrine is the most famous, which is the head of shrine all Inari-shrine in Japan. The Senbon Torii (a thousand torii) which looks like a tunnel is absolutely fascinated.
About visiting the shrine
Time of "Sanpai" (Worship)
Normally it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, it is open all days from The New Year's Day to 3rd of January.
Graces
Business success, Family safety, Traffic safety, Expels evil spirits
Access : Approx. 1 minute on foot from JR Inari Station
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Yasaka Shrine (Yasaka Jinja) / Kyoto, Gion 八坂神社
The access is really good from central Kyoto city. Due to this, many people visit there during New Year.
About visiting the shrine
Time of "Sanpai" (Worship) : Open all days
Juyosho (shop for Omamori) opening time : From December 31, 8:00 a.m. to January 1, 0:00 a.m. / January 2 - 3, 8:00 a.m. - 0:00 a.m.
Events
- December 31, 8:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.
The herb "Okera" which works for expelling evil spirits is burning and transfer the fire to the rope, then bring back the fire to your home without destroying. This is very traditional scenery in Kyoto during New Year.
- January 3, From 1:00 p.m. » The first play "Karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards)" ceremony
At the Noh stage in the shrine, "Karuta princesses" who are wearing Junihitoe (twelve-layered ceremonial kimono) play Karuta.
Access : Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station / Approx. 8 minutes on foot from Kawaramachi Station
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Shimogamo Shrine (Shimogamo Jinja) / Kyoto 下鴨神社
It is one of the shrine which has the most longest history in Kyoto. Why don't you pray your matchmaking in this historical shrine?
About visiting the shrine
Time of "Sanpai" (Worship) : December 31, 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., January 1, 0:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., January 2 - 4, 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The restaurant "Saruya" : During New Year, they serve "Okayu (rice gruel)".
Events
January 4, From 1:30 p.m. - The first play Kemari (ancient football game of the Imperial Court)
Kemari was one of the entertainments around Heian period (794 -1192). This will be reappearance.
Access : Approx. 12 minutes on foot from Demachiyanagi Station
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Izumo-taisha Shrine / Kyoto 出雲大社
This shrine is the symbol of The Izumo Myths which is about many Japanese gods gather in here as their hometown. Also it is famous as the king of god of marriage as well as the biggest Shimenawa (a holy straw rope). During New Year, there is traffic control as many people visit there for praying.
About visiting the shrine
Time of "Sanpai" (Worship)
6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Events
- December 31, 9:30 p.m. » Joya-sai (New Year's Eve festival)
- January 1, 0:00 a.m. » New Year's Eve drum festival
- January 1, 7:00 a.m. » Oomike festival : In order to celebrate The New Year, people pray for the god of Izumo-shirine "Ookuninushi-god" about blessing; grace.
Access : Approx. 7 minutes on foot from Izumo Taisha-mae Station (Ichibata Electric Railway.)
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Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima Jinja) / Hiroshima 厳島神社
This shrine is one of the three famous views of Japan and registered The World Heritage. The symbol of this Shirin is Tori gate which is built in the sea in Miyajima. There are many events from The New Year’s Eve to The New Year.
About visiting the shrine
Time of "Sanpai" (Worship)
January 1, 0:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
January 2, 6:30 a.m. - Depends on the circumstance of the date
Events
- December 31, 6:00 p.m. » Chinka festival : This festival is about wishing to prevent fair.
- January 1, 0:00 a.m. » Mikanmisokenjoshiki : The imperial garments which is reverently made every year is offered to Enshrined deities. *You will be charged 300JPY of the entrance fee Itsukushima shrine.
- January 1, 5:00 a.m. » Saitan festival (Bugaku-Souen (court dances and music)) : Cerebration of The New Year. After the festival, they will play one Bugaku song. *You will be charged 300JPY of the entrance fee Itsukushima shrine.
- January 3, 9:00 a.m. » 元始祭
Access : How to access to Miyajima is here. *From The New Year’s Eve to The New Year, there are ferries every 10 or 15 minutes regardless usual timetable.
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Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine / Fukuoka 太宰府天満宮
This shrine is worshipped the god of studying "Michizane Sugawara" and many people visit there to wish passing exams and improve studies. There are about 6000 plum trees in there and they will bring beautiful colors from the begins of February to the middle of March. It will open 6:30 a.m. on 31st of December and open for 24 hours from the New Year's day to 3rd of January.
About visiting the shrine
Time of "Sanpai" (Worship)
December 31, From 6:30 a.m.
From January 1 - January 4, whole day
Events
- December 31, 10:30 p.m. » The New Year's Eve festival : "Joya" means The New Year's Eve
In the shrine, there will be Joya-no-kane (the bell rung 108 times on New Year's Eve). After the festival, you will be ready to start new year.
- January 1, 7:00 a.m. » Saitan festival : This is the first festival for praying imperial and Japan's peace as well as harvest.
- January 3, 9:00 a.m. » Genshi festival : On 3rd of January, Japanese emperor will pray for all Japanese peaceful and prosperity at Mitono. At the same moment, many shrines will have the same festival in Japan.
Access : Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station
More information
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