Hatsumōde

Hatsumōde is the Japanese tradition of making the first visit of the year to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple, usually during the first three days of January. Marking a fresh start, millions across Japan take part in this spiritual and social custom, seeking blessings and good fortune for the year ahead.

• Millions visit shrines and temples in Japan during the first three days of January
• Popular sites include Meiji Shrine, Sensoji, and Fushimi Inari-taisha
• People buy new omamori charms and return old ones to be cremated
• Omikuji fortunes are drawn and tied to trees if unlucky
• Ninenmairi is a style that spans New Year's Eve into New Year's Day

What it is

Hatsumōde is a cherished New Year tradition in Japan, where people visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples to mark the beginning of a new year. This first visit is seen as a way to start the year fresh, offer prayers, and seek blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity. The ritual is deeply woven into Japanese culture, blending spiritual reflection with festive gatherings. For many, it is a time to reconnect with family and community, and to express hopes for the coming year.

Where it comes from

The practice of Hatsumōde is relatively recent in Japanese history and is believed to have been popularized during the Meiji era. Railway companies played a significant role in promoting the custom, encouraging people to travel to major shrines and temples at the start of the year. Over time, Hatsumōde became a widespread tradition, blending older customs of shrine visits with the modern rhythm of the New Year holiday.

How it is celebrated

Hatsumōde typically takes place on the first, second, or third day of January. People dress in their best clothes and visit shrines or temples, often queuing for hours at popular sites. Wishes for the new year are made, and new omamori (charms or amulets) are purchased, while old ones are returned to be respectfully cremated. Many draw omikuji, written oracles predicting fortunes for the year; if the prediction is bad, it is customary to tie the slip to a tree at the shrine, hoping to avert misfortune. The atmosphere is lively, with food stalls, festive decorations, and the sharing of traditional foods like osechi and zōni. Some also write wishes on wooden ema plaques or take part in ninenmairi, a visit spanning New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.

Joining in

Visitors are welcome at shrines and temples across Japan during Hatsumōde, with the largest crowds gathering at sites like Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto, and Sensoji in Asakusa. Expect long lines, especially at major shrines, and a festive, respectful mood. Participating in the rituals—such as drawing an omikuji or purchasing an omamori—offers a meaningful way to experience the spirit of the Japanese New Year.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Hatsumōde, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Hatsumōde on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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