Hatsumode: The First Shrine Visit of the New Year

Learn what hatsumode is, why Japanese families visit shrines at New Year, how to pray politely, and how to enjoy the first days of the year.

Published October 18, 2026 at 6:08 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year in Japan, usually made in the first three days of January. People give thanks, make wishes, buy new charms and draw paper fortunes.

In the first days of January, shrines across Japan transform. Lines of visitors wrapped in winter coats stretch down temple approaches, steam rises from food stalls, and the sound of bells and coins echoes beneath the trees. This is hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year, and it is one of the most beloved traditions in the country. In this guide, you will learn what hatsumode means, how it began, how to pray, and how to make your own first visit of the year feel smooth and special.

What Is Hatsumode?

Hatsumode (初詣) combines two kanji, one meaning "first" and one meaning "visiting a shrine or temple." It is the first visit of the year, made to give thanks for the past twelve months, to make wishes, and to ask for good fortune in the year ahead. People usually go in the first three days of January, though many go at other times in the early part of the month. The custom is open to everyone, and both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples welcome visitors.

Hatsumode is as much a family outing as a religious act. Many people go with relatives, partners or friends, dress warmly, and treat the visit as part of the New Year holiday. Most people are off work for the first few days of January, so there is time to relax at home with special New Year food and then step out for the shrine. The mood is festive, hopeful and surprisingly cozy.

How Did the Custom Begin?

Visiting a shrine at the turn of the year has deep roots, as people traditionally greeted their local guardian shrine or their family temple to begin the year. The modern habit of traveling to a famous shrine in the first days of January spread widely in the Meiji era (1868 to 1912), helped along by railway companies that promoted New Year trips. The result is a custom that blends older beliefs with the rhythms of modern life. Even today, major rail lines and city shrines gear up for the New Year rush.

A related custom is ninenmairi, in which people begin their visit on New Year's Eve and continue past midnight into New Year's Day. Many also eat toshikoshi soba, a bowl of buckwheat noodles, shortly before midnight to see out the old year. On New Year's Day, families often enjoy osechi, the colorful boxed foods prepared for the holiday, and zoni, a soup with rice cake. These traditions give hatsumode a rich context of food, family and renewal.

Which Shrines Are Popular for Hatsumode?

Some shrines draw several million people over the first three days of the year. Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, a shrine set in a large forest in the middle of the city and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, is the most famous example. Other well-known choices include Sensoji in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, Narita-san in Chiba, Kawasaki Daishi in Kanagawa, and Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka. Each has its own character, from forested paths to temple gates and lantern-lined streets.

Big shrines mean big crowds, so many visitors prefer a quieter neighborhood shrine instead, which is just as meaningful and far less crowded. Local shrines often have a warm, community feel, and you may see neighbors greeting one another with New Year wishes. If you do want a famous site, aim for a time of day with lighter traffic and check the shrine's own website for guidance. As of autumn 2026, the major shrines publish New Year information on their official sites closer to the season, so check before you travel.

Access to the biggest shrines is usually simple. Meiji Jingu, for example, is about a one-minute walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line and from Meiji-jingumae Station, with Sangubashi Station on the Odakyu Line a few minutes away. Some people also choose to welcome the New Year at home first and make the shrine visit their first outing of the year, so there is no single correct schedule. What matters is the intention to begin the year with thanks and a hopeful heart.

How Do You Pray at a Shrine?

At a Shinto shrine, the standard etiquette is easy to learn. Bow slightly at the torii gate, rinse your hands and mouth at the water pavilion if it is open, and approach the main hall. There you toss a coin gently into the offering box, ring the bell if there is one, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice, make a silent wish, and bow once more. Many people finish with one last small bow before leaving.

At a Buddhist temple, the practice is different: you generally pray quietly with your hands pressed together and do not clap. The offering, called saisen, can be any amount you wish, and five yen is a popular choice because the word for five yen, go-en, sounds like the word for good relationship. If you are unsure, watch what the people around you do and follow their lead. Staff and fellow visitors are used to first-timers and are generally patient and kind.

What Else Can You Do at a New Year Shrine?

Hatsumode usually includes a few classic extras. Many people buy a new omamori (a protective charm) and return their old one to the shrine, where it is respectfully retired. Others draw an omikuji, a paper fortune; if the result is unlucky, the custom is to tie the paper to a designated tree or rack at the shrine. Writing a wish on an ema, a small wooden plaque, and hanging it at the shrine is another popular activity.

Food stalls often line the approach, serving warm drinks and festival snacks that help visitors enjoy the wait in the cold. Wear warm layers, comfortable shoes and gloves, and bring a small amount of cash for offerings and snacks. Hours vary, and Meiji Jingu, for example, stays open through the night on New Year's Eve, while most other days it follows sunrise-to-sunset hours. Public transport can be crowded, so allow extra time for your journey.

Quick Takeaways for Your First Hatsumode

Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the year, usually made in the first few days of January to give thanks, make wishes and start fresh. Bow, offer a coin, bow twice, clap twice and bow once at a Shinto shrine, and pray quietly with your palms together at a temple. Dress warmly, expect crowds at famous sites, and consider a quiet local shrine for a more peaceful experience.

Whether you queue at a famous shrine or visit a tiny local one, the heart of hatsumode is the same: a quiet moment of gratitude and hope as the year begins. Take your time, enjoy the atmosphere, and let the cheerful, hopeful mood carry you into the new year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hatsumode?

Hatsumode is the first visit to a shrine or temple in the New Year, made to give thanks for the past year and pray for good fortune ahead. Most people go during the first few days of January, often with family or friends.

How do you pray at a Shinto shrine for hatsumode?

Bow lightly at the gate, approach the main hall, offer a coin, ring the bell if there is one, bow twice, clap twice, make a silent wish and bow once more. At a Buddhist temple, you usually pray quietly without clapping.

Which shrines are popular for hatsumode?

Meiji Jingu in Tokyo is among the most visited, and other popular choices include Sensoji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Narita-san, Kawasaki Daishi and Sumiyoshi Taisha. Local neighborhood shrines are quieter, less crowded and equally meaningful.