Crowds visiting a Japanese shrine for hatsumode New Year pilgrimage

Japan Hatsumode Guide 2025

Hatsumode — Japan's first shrine visit of the new year — brings 100 million people to shrines and temples in the first three days of January. This guide explains the traditions, the best shrines to visit, what to do when you arrive, and how to participate meaningfully in one of Japan's most important annual rituals.

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What Is Hatsumode?

Hatsumode (初詣) is the Japanese tradition of making the first shrine or temple visit of the new year, typically between January 1st and January 3rd. It is one of Japan's most widely observed customs — approximately 100 million people (about 80% of Japan's population) make a hatsumode visit during the first three days of January. The purpose is to pray for health, happiness, and success in the coming year, and to purchase new good-luck charms (omamori) and wish plaques (ema) for the year ahead.

Hatsumode at a Glance

WhenJanuary 1–3 (most common); some visit through January 7 (Matsunouchi)

LocationShinto shrines (jinja) and Buddhist temples (tera/ji) — both are acceptable

CrowdsJanuary 1–2 extremely crowded at major shrines; January 3 and later much more manageable

Duration30–90 minutes including queuing, prayer, and charm purchases at popular shrines

What to Do at Hatsumode

The hatsumode visit follows a sequence of traditional rituals at both shrines and temples:

At a Shinto Shrine

Purify hands and mouth (temizuya): At the stone water basin, pour water over both hands; in formal practice rinse your mouth as well. During winter, warm water is sometimes provided at major shrines.
Approach the main hall (haiden): Walk up to the offering box (saisen-bako). Many people queue at busy times — wait your turn.
Toss a coin into the box: Any coin is acceptable; ¥5 (goyen) is considered especially auspicious because the word sounds like “go-en” (good fortune).
Ring the bell (suzu): Pull the large rope to ring the bell overhead — this calls the deity's attention.
Bow twice, clap twice, bow once (ni-rei ni-hakushu ichi-rei): Two deep bows, two claps with hands raised at chest height, and a final deep bow. This is the standard form of Shinto prayer.
Pray silently: State your wish or intention during the final bow — no specific formula is required.

Hatsumode Charm Shopping

OmamoriFabric good-luck charms for health, study, traffic safety, love, business — specific charms for each purpose ¥500–¥1,000

EmaWooden wish plaques written with your wish and hung at the shrine; one of the most photogenic hatsumode elements ¥500–¥1,000

OmikujiFortune slips drawn randomly — daikichi (great fortune) through kyou (bad luck); tie to a pine branch if bad luck

HamayaDecorative arrows said to drive away evil; purchased for display in the home entrance (¥1,500–¥3,000)

Best Shrines for Hatsumode

Meiji Jingu (Tokyo)

Japan's #1 by Visits

Over 3 million visitors make hatsumode at Meiji Jingu over the first three days of January — the highest number of any shrine or temple in Japan. The forest setting of the shrine (the only large forest in central Tokyo) makes the walk to the main hall particularly beautiful. Access via Harajuku or Yoyogi station; waiting times of 2–4 hours on January 1.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (Narita, Chiba)

The second-most visited hatsumode destination in Japan (approximately 3 million visitors) — a large Shingon Buddhist temple complex with a dramatic main hall and long approach lined with food stalls. 60 minutes from Tokyo by train; convenient for visitors flying in/out of Narita Airport.

Fushimi Inari Taisha (Kyoto)

Fushimi Inari's thousands of torii gates create an otherworldly setting for hatsumode — the shrine is open 24 hours and accepts visitors throughout the night on New Year's Eve and the following days. The forested mountain behind the shrine can be climbed all night; cold, dramatic, and deeply memorable.

Sumiyoshi Taisha (Osaka)

One of Japan's oldest shrines, Sumiyoshi Taisha is the most visited shrine in western Japan for hatsumode. The arched stone bridge (sori-bashi) over the shrine's central pond is one of the most photographed New Year sights in Osaka. Approximately 2 million visitors in three days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit a shrine for hatsumode?▼

If you want the atmosphere of the new year without extreme crowds, visit on January 2 or 3 rather than January 1. For a truly crowd-free experience, smaller neighborhood shrines are excellent — they have all the same rituals and atmosphere without the multi-hour queues of famous shrines. Many shrines are open from midnight on New Year's Eve through January 7.

Can foreigners participate in hatsumode?▼

Absolutely — hatsumode is open to everyone regardless of nationality or religion. Shinto prayer is non-denominational in practice, and participating respectfully is welcomed at all shrines. If you are unsure of the ritual sequence, watching others in the queue and following along is perfectly acceptable.

What should I wear to hatsumode?▼

Many Japanese women wear furisode (long-sleeved formal kimono) and men sometimes wear formal hakama for hatsumode, but this is not required. Comfortable, warm clothing appropriate for cold January weather is fine. If you rent a kimono for the occasion, furisode rental shops are available near major shrines in January.

What do I do with last year's omamori at hatsumode?▼

Old omamori and ema from the previous year should be returned to a shrine to be ritually burned (o-tarai). Most shrines have a collection box (o-sagari-bako or similar) at the entrance or near the charm selling area. Disposing of sacred charms in regular garbage is considered disrespectful. You can return items to any shrine — they don't need to go back to the original source.

Which shrines are best for hatsumode 2027, and how early should I arrive?▼

For hatsumode 2027 (January 1–3, 2027), the top five choices are: Meiji Jingu (Tokyo) — Japan's most visited, over 3 million visitors in three days; arrive before 6am on January 1 or visit on January 2 after 5pm for manageable queues. Naritasan Shinshoji (Chiba) — also 3 million visitors, convenient for Narita Airport arrivals. Fushimi Inari (Kyoto) — open 24 hours, midnight arrival on New Year's Eve is magical and less crowded than daylight hours. Sumiyoshi Taisha (Osaka) — best for western Japan visitors. Dazaifu Tenmangu (Fukuoka) — ideal if visiting Kyushu. Key timing rule: January 1 is the most crowded day at all major shrines. January 2 from the afternoon onward is significantly calmer while retaining the full New Year atmosphere. Smaller neighborhood shrines throughout Japan are always quieter and equally meaningful — if the crowds at major shrines sound daunting, choose a local shrine instead.

Can I combine Japan autumn leaves 2026 and hatsumode 2027 in a single trip?▼

Yes — a late November 2026 to early January 2027 itinerary covers both seasons perfectly. Sample structure: arrive in Kyoto around November 15–20 for peak koyo (Tofuku-ji, Eikan-do night illuminations), spend 3–4 days in Tokyo in late November, then return December 30–January 3 for hatsumode at Meiji Jingu or Fushimi Inari. You'll experience Japan in two of its most visually spectacular and culturally rich periods back to back. Important: book all accommodation for December 28 – January 4 at least 4–6 months in advance — this is the most expensive and fully-booked period of the year. Bullet train tickets for the December 30 – January 4 window sell out quickly; reserve your shinkansen seats as soon as they become available (typically 1 month before departure on JR). See our Japan Autumn Leaves Guide (japanflowai.com/japan-autumn-leaves-guide) for detailed koyo timing by region.

Book Your Tokyo New Year Holiday Hotel

Japan's New Year season (Dec 29 – Jan 3) is one of the most atmospheric times to visit — book early to secure central accommodation.

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