Hatsumode: Enjoy the New Year Like a Local in Japan

In Japan, the New Year’s festivities skip all the dazzling displays. Instead, people across the country celebrate the New Year by making their way through the cold to a meaningful shrine or temple for hatsumode, the so-called “first visit” of the year. From the moment temple bells resonate across the country at midnight, throughout the first few days of the new year, even those who rarely visit shrines or temples will use their precious vacation time and brave the winter cold to continue the millennium-old tradition of hatsumode, giving thanks for the past year and praying for blessings in the year ahead. While some destinations are famous worldwide, like Tokyo’s oldest temple of Sensoji, others remain hidden gems for international travelers. Here are three must-visit hatsumode spots with history and cultural significance, attracting millions each year, while still flying under the radar in the English-speaking world.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka

Located in Fukuoka, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to the god Sugawara no Michizane, a historic scholar-turned-deity of learning. Now renowned as a haven for those seeking academic success, students flock here to pray for good grades during exam season, while hatsumode visitors come to seek a more varied bounty of blessings for a prosperous harvest, protection from evil, and overall good fortune. Its historical significance as the head Tenmangu shrine in Japan has helped it attract 2.04 million hatsumode visitors in recent years, and it’s the obvious spot for travelers looking to get off the beaten path and explore Japan’s southern reaches.

Omiya Hikawa Shrine in Saitama

Just a short train ride from Tokyo, Omiya Hikawa Shrine (officially known as Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine) boasts over 2,000 years of history, meaning its founding reaches into the days when Japanese history blurs into legend. The ancient shrine was built to honor three of Japan’s oldest deities, and people still come to pray to the god Susanoo, his wife Inadahime (AKA Kushinadahime), and his son/descendent Onamuchi (AKA Okuninushi). The shrine owes its popularity in part to the picturesque grounds, including the approach to the shrine, a peaceful tree-lined path that cuts 2 km into the city. During hatsumode, more than two million worshippers come to pray for protection from bad luck and blessings in love, making it a favorite among couples among other visitors.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kanagawa

In the coastal city of Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine stands as a beacon of history and Shinto spirituality. Dedicated to the legendary Emperor Ojin in 1063, the shrine gained prominence when Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, revitalized the shrine and asked the gods to protect his new government in turn. The shrine holds special significance for expectant parents, as it is believed to offer protection for safe childbirth, a tradition tied to the iconic steps built during the pregnancy of Yoritomo’s wife. Since Kamakura is a popular day-trip destination outside of Tokyo, however, more than 2.5 million visitors make it their hatsumode destination each year, seeking blessings for success in their careers, finances, and relationships.

Embrace a Thousand-Year-Old Tradition This New Year

While New Year’s in Japan may seem quiet compared to other countries, it offers a unique cultural experience. Many shops and attractions close, but the festive spirit thrives at shrines and temples. Take part in hatsumode, visit a shrine or temple you never knew was so important, join the locals in offering prayers for good fortune, and immerse yourself in this timeless tradition!

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