Making the New Year's First Prayers (Hatsumoude)

One of the best times of year in Japan is the New Year holiday season, called O-shogatsu. This is the main holiday of the year for the vast majority of Japanese, and far and away the most enthusiastically celebrated.

On New Year’s Eve, having spent the day with family, perhaps watching the famous men and women’s singing contest shown on TV every year, people up and down the whole length of Japan begin to pour out of their homes beginning at around 11pm. At midnight, the sound of fireworks, car horns and temple bells fill the air, and at thousands of shrines the lines have already formed for hatsumoude, or the first prayers of the New Year.

The best part of this custom for visitors is the atmosphere. There is, almost certainly, nothing more universally Japanese than hatsumoude, and it’s a privilege for foreigners to take part in it. The noise of happy crowds, slapping their hands together and eagerly reading over their paper fortunes, the metallic rattle of the shrine bells, the scent of wood smoke from the fires and the taste of warm amazake all combine to create a unique mood that is available only one night a year, and only in Japan.

If you’re in Japan for the New Year, by all means go to hatsumoude. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know where the nearest shrine is; just step outside at midnight and follow the crowds who do know the way. Buy a lucky arrow, exchange greetings with other shrine goers, and above all enjoy yourself because this is truly the best night of the year.

More Info.:
The Otorii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine
Bugaku
The Kangensai Festival
The Tamatorisai Festival
The Chinkasai Festival
Itsukushima Shrine

Matt Mangham

1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi

Schedule:
New Years Eve and New Years Day

Miyajima Tourist Association: http://www.miyajima.or.jp