Are you familiar with the Japanese New Year tradition of hatsumode? It is the first temple or shrine visit of the year. During this time temples and shrines are typically open from midnight until early evening hours of the day. Depending on the location and area the hours may vary, so we advise checking the hours of your local temple or shrine.
Hatsumode typically takes place within the first three days of the new year, allowing for smooth traffic flow. This is an important time and tradition in almost every Japanese household where they pray for good fortune, health, and a prosperous coming year.
Top 5 Temples And Shrines For Hatsumode
Here is a list of popular temples and shrines to visit for hatsumode, be advised that most of these temples will be rather busy, especially on New Year’s Day so plan accordingly. If you choose to go to your local temple or shrine be sure to check their respective hours.
Zojo-ji Temple (増上寺) – Hatsumōde With A Spectacular View of Tokyo Tower
This temple is well-known as the temple of the Tokugawa family, who was the head of the Shogunate during the Edo Period (1600 – 1868).
Image credit: Canva
The first thing tourists are likely to find when they walk towards the temple is the huge Sangedatsumon gate, the largest one in Eastern Japan. It has been classified as one of the country’s important cultural properties, a testimony to its cultural significance. When you walk further, it’s impossible not to notice the Tokyo Tower’s distinctive silhouette just behind the main building.
Hatsumode:
From 18:00 on Dec 31st to 15:30 on Jan 1st
Jan 2nd and onwards: 6:00 – 17:30
Focus: Protection from misfortune, academic success, safe childbirth and child-rearing, road safety, prayers for victory, and family safety.
Admission fee: Free
Access: 3-minute walk from Shibakoen Station on the Toei Line and a 10-minute walk from Hamamatsu-cho Station on the JR Line.
Website: https://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/
Senso-ji Temple (浅草寺) A Popular Tourist Spot
Image credit: Canva
Senso-ji is a famous tourist destination in Tokyo’s Asakusa district and attracts millions of visitors annually. And for good reason, Sensoji Temple is said to be the oldest temple in Tokyo.
During the New Year Season, Sensō-ji is usually packed with people, all wanting to perform their hatsumode prayers in this well-known temple to get the new year off to a good start. If you would like to avoid the insane crowds, plan accordingly and opt to go at a later date.
Hatsumode:
January 1st to 7th
Focus: Fulfillment of wishes
Admission Fee: Free
Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tobu and Tokyo Metro lines.
Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/english/
Meiji Jingu Shrine (明治神宮) – The Most Popular Shrine For Hatsumode in Japan
Meiji Jingu is the shrine where Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) and Empress Shoken (1849-1914) are enshrined. This renowned Shinto shrine is a historic building with calm and solemn dignity. It is also a tourist hotspot that attracts over 3 million visitors from all over Japan every New Year.
Image credit: Canva
Located between Harajuku and Omotesando’s trendiest areas, the shrine is just a minute’s walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Line. If you use the Tokyo Metro, it’s about a 10-minute walk from Omotesando Station.
Hatsumode:
January 1st 00:00 – 19:00
2nd & 3rd 6:40-18:30
4th and 5th 6:40-18:00
6th 6:40-17:30,
7th 6:40-17:00
8th 6:40-16:20
Focus: Protection from misfortune, academic success, luck in love, safe childbirth and child-rearing, national security, world peace, the prosperity of the imperial family, protection from disasters and good fortune, safe childbirth, the safety of the household
Admission Fee: Donation
Access: 7-minute walk from Harajuku station on the JR Yamanote line, 10-minute walk from Ometsando station on the Tokyo Metro, 2-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ station on the Chiyoda line
Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine (東京大神宮) – For Couples Looking For Luck in Love
Tokyo Daijingu was established in 1880 as a worship hall for the Ise Grand Shrine of Mie Prefecture. Since Emperor Taisho (1879-1926) performed his wedding ceremony here and was the first to be married by the imperial sanctuary gods while still Crown Prince, he became known as the originator of public Shinto-style weddings.
Image credit: Canva
The shrine itself embraces Musubi, the god of marriage so people looking for luck in love and marriage naturally flock here to seek blessings. The shrine is popular among those seeking to be coupled, especially during the hatsumode season. If you are seeking to be matched, perhaps you ought to visit this shrine. Be sure to go in the early hours between 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on January 1st to 3rd, where the first 1,000 visitors will receive a sacred tablet or amulet as well as a “mini zodiac votive plaque” for good fortune.
Hatsumode:
Saitan Festival January 1st from 6:00
Genshin Festival January 3rd from 8:00
Focus: Protection from misfortune, matchmaking, good health, prosperity in business, safety of the household, protection from misfortune and good fortune
Admission Fee: Free
Access: 5 minutes from Iidabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Line.
Website: https://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/english/
Kanda Myoujin Shrine (神田明神) For Those Looking For Success in Business
Kanda Shrine was built about 1,300 years ago and housed the guardian gods of over 108 town councils across Kanda, Nihonbashi, and even Akihabara, the mecca of Japanese subculture.
Image credit: Canva
The shrine’s hatsumode visitors include people from major companies as the shrine was established in the center of one of Tokyo’s wealthiest districts. Most shrines and temples in this area are typically focused on blessings for wealth and prosperity.
Image credit: Canva
Hatsumode:
Open from midnight on January 1st
Focus: Protection from misfortune, luck in love, business prosperity, good luck, prayer for victory, medical and health benefits
Admission Fee: Free
Access: a 5-minute walk from Ochanomizu Station’s Hijiri Bashi Exit on the JR Line, or a 7-minute walk from Akihabara Station’s Electric Town Exit on the JR Line
Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/
Top 5 Temples and Shrines for Hatsumode
These are just the top five temples and shrine recommendations for hatsumode in Tokyo. You can also visit your local shrine or temple which will likely be holding their own festival or ceremony. Whether it is to have a successful New Year or if you’re seeking help with future assignments, there is a shrine or temple for you to visit.
Related Articles:
- 11 Special Places to Spend the New Year Holiday in Japan!
- Western-Style Osechi You Cannot Miss In 2021
- 5 Best Places to Catch the First Tokyo Sunrise of 2022
- Top Five ‘Must-try’ Japanese New Year’s Foods
- New Year In Japan; 7 Uniquely Japanese Traditions
Featured image credit: Canva
