Introduction – Beginning the Year with Prayer
In Japan, when the New Year arrives, people naturally make their way to a shrine or temple.
This custom is called Hatsumōde (初詣) — the first visit of the year to a sacred place.
It is an occasion to pray for good health, happiness, academic success, and prosperity in business during the year ahead.
Although Hatsumōde is rooted in religious practice, for most people today it represents a moment of calm and renewal — a way to start the year with a clear mind.
Japanese New Year celebrations skillfully combine “inner” family-centered customs such as osechi ryōri and otoshidama with “outer” social rituals such as Hatsumōde and nengajō (New Year’s cards).
Among them, Hatsumōde stands out as the symbolic act that connects people to the outside world — to community, to nature, and to the divine.
In the cold air of early January, the sound of bells echoes through shrine grounds as countless people quietly bow and join their hands in prayer for the new year.
Historical Background – The Origins and Evolution of Hatsumōde
The roots of Hatsumōde go back to the Heian period (8th–12th century), when people practiced Toshigomori (年籠り) — staying overnight at a local shrine on New Year’s Eve to welcome the deity of the year.
Families and communities spent the night praying for safety and abundance, waiting for the dawn that marked the beginning of a new year.
Over time, this developed into customs known as Ehō-mairi (恵方詣) and Gantan-mōde (元旦詣), in which people visited specific shrines in the direction considered auspicious for that year.
During the Edo period, as travel routes expanded and public transportation improved, people began to visit famous shrines and temples beyond their local area.
The concept of ehō, the “lucky direction,” played a key role in shaping the idea of New Year’s visits.
By the Meiji era, Japan’s growing railway network made long-distance travel easier, and visiting shrines such as Meiji Jingū or Fushimi Inari became a national New Year custom.
Thus, Hatsumōde evolved from a solemn act of devotion into a shared social event that marked the joyful start of a new year.
How to Worship – The Ritual and Its Meaning
There is no single fixed rule for Hatsumōde, but most people follow a common flow of actions that express respect and gratitude.
When arriving at a shrine, visitors bow lightly before passing through the torii (鳥居, shrine gate), which marks the border between the human world and the sacred realm.
It is considered polite to walk slightly to the side of the path, since the center of the approach is believed to be reserved for the gods.
At the temizuya (手水舎, purification basin), people cleanse their hands and mouth before approaching the main hall.
Using a wooden ladle, they wash the left hand first, then the right, then rinse the mouth using water poured into the left hand.
Finally, they tilt the ladle vertically to let the remaining water cleanse the handle.
This ritual purification is not merely physical—it symbolizes clearing the mind before meeting the divine.
Next, people offer a small coin into the donation box and ring the bell to announce their presence to the deity.
They then perform the traditional gesture known as ni-rei ni-hakushu ichi-rei (二礼二拍手一礼): two deep bows, two claps, and one final bow.
Through these simple movements, worshippers express gratitude, reverence, and personal wishes for the year ahead.
After praying, many people draw omikuji (おみくじ, fortune slips).
Each paper reveals a fortune ranging from daikichi (great blessing) to kyō (curse).
Even if the result is not favorable, it is customary to tie the paper to a tree branch or rack within the shrine grounds, symbolically leaving bad luck behind.
Visitors may also purchase omamori (お守り, protective charms) for safety, academic success, or love.
At the end of the year, these are usually returned to the shrine and replaced with new ones—continuing the cycle of renewal.
Famous Shrines and Regional Traditions
Hatsumōde is observed throughout Japan, yet each region has its own distinctive atmosphere and traditions.
In Tokyo, Meiji Jingū (明治神宮) draws more than three million visitors each year, making it the most popular Hatsumōde site in the country.
In Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) is famous for its thousands of bright red torii gates stretching up the mountain, forming an unforgettable path of prayer.
In Osaka, Sumiyoshi Taisha (住吉大社) is a beloved destination, known locally as “the place to go for the first visit of the year.”
Many people, however, prefer to visit their local shrine to greet their ujigami-sama (氏神様, guardian deity of their neighborhood).
This act connects them not only to the divine but also to their community.
Visiting the local shrine reinforces a sense of belonging and reminds people of the continuity of their family and hometown.
Regional climates and cultures also shape the way Hatsumōde is practiced.
In Hokkaidō, where temperatures often drop below freezing, people brave the snow to visit shrines even at midnight.
In Okinawa, some areas observe New Year’s visits according to the lunar calendar, aligning their celebrations with traditional local customs.
These variations illustrate how Hatsumōde adapts to Japan’s diverse geography and cultural landscape.
The Meaning Behind the Prayers
While individual wishes differ, the spirit of Hatsumōde centers on two shared feelings: gratitude for the past year and hope for the one to come.
People give thanks for the safety and blessings they have received, then offer prayers for good fortune, health, and success.
Students often pray for academic achievement; businesspeople seek prosperity or career advancement; families pray for the health and happiness of loved ones.
Some use the visit as an opportunity to make personal resolutions — to take on a challenge, improve relationships, or simply live more mindfully.
The act of prayer itself is a form of reflection.
Rather than asking for miracles, many people use Hatsumōde as a chance to look inward, to acknowledge their desires, and to reaffirm their direction in life.
In this sense, Hatsumōde is both a spiritual ritual and a quiet dialogue with oneself.
Modern Hatsumōde – Tradition in a Changing Society
In modern Japan, Hatsumōde has evolved with changing lifestyles and social values.
In earlier times, most people visited shrines right after midnight or at dawn on January 1.
Today, the practice has spread over several days or even weeks, a trend called bunsan sanpai (分散参拝, “distributed visiting”).
This allows people to avoid crowds and take their time in prayer.
It also reflects a growing preference for a calmer, more personal way to begin the year.
Another modern change is the diversity of company.
Whereas Hatsumōde was once a family-centered ritual, many young people now visit with friends or partners.
Some groups go to see the hatsu-hi-no-de (初日の出, first sunrise) together, then stop by a shrine on the way home.
This blending of friendship, romance, and spirituality shows how the tradition continues to evolve while retaining its essence.
Abroad, Japanese communities also hold New Year shrine visits and prayer gatherings.
In cities such as Los Angeles, Paris, and Bangkok, local groups organize Shinto-style New Year festivals featuring mochi pounding or kakizome (first calligraphy of the year).
Through these events, the meaning of Hatsumōde spreads beyond Japan’s borders, connecting people of different cultures through shared hope and gratitude.
Conclusion – A Place to Return at the Start of the Year
Hatsumōde is more than a visit to a shrine.
It is a moment of renewal—a way to pause, reflect, and realign one’s heart at the start of a new year.
In the stillness of the shrine grounds, the ringing bells, the scent of incense, and the sound of footsteps on gravel together mark the quiet beginning of another cycle of life.
The Japanese proverb “Ichinen no kei wa gantan ni ari” (一年の計は元旦にあり) says, “The year’s plan begins on New Year’s Day.”
Hatsumōde embodies this idea: the first prayer of the year shapes one’s attitude toward the months ahead.
By facing the divine, people also face themselves—expressing gratitude for what was, and determination for what will be.
Though the world continues to change, the custom of Hatsumōde remains deeply rooted in Japanese life.
It bridges ancient spirituality and modern living, offering a timeless rhythm of renewal.
Through the simple act of joining hands in prayer, people recover a sense of stillness and connection that transcends words.
Hatsumōde is a bridge between the past and the future, between the human and the divine.
It is the quiet ritual that reminds each person to return to what truly matters at the start of every year.
No matter how society evolves, the sight of people clasping their hands before dawn, whispering their hopes into the cold air, will continue to color the Japanese winter for generations to come.