It is traditional for Japanese people to visit a shrine or temple during the period starting from the mid-night on New Year's Eve to the first week in January. People pray for safety, health, and good fortune for the new year. The first visit to a temple or shrine in the year is called hatsumoude. This is a list of the most popular temples and shrines for hatsumoude.
1. Meiji Jingu Shrine
Photo by Shizuko Mishima
Place: Shibuyaku, Tokyo
Access: JR Harajuku Station
About 3 million people visit Meiji Jingu Shrine during New Year's holidays every year.
Access: JR Harajuku Station
About 3 million people visit Meiji Jingu Shrine during New Year's holidays every year.
2. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima
1 Narita Narita-city, Chiba
Phone: 0476-22-2111
Access: JR/Keisei Narita Station
This is a Buddhist temple, which was opened in 940 by Priest Kancho. Shinshoji keeps the Fudomyo-ou which was carved by Kobodaishi who was the founder of Shingon Buddhist sect. This temple attracts about 12 million visitors in a year.
Phone: 0476-22-2111
Access: JR/Keisei Narita Station
This is a Buddhist temple, which was opened in 940 by Priest Kancho. Shinshoji keeps the Fudomyo-ou which was carved by Kobodaishi who was the founder of Shingon Buddhist sect. This temple attracts about 12 million visitors in a year.
3. Kawasaki Daishi
4-48 Daishimachi Kawasaki-ku Kawasaki-city, KanagawaPhone: 044-266-3420
Access: Keikyu Line Kawasaki Daishi Station
This temple is known for the divine favor of traffic safety and warding off evil. The primary Buddhist image of the temple is Kobodaishi Kukai.
4. Fushimi Inari
63 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho Fushimi-ku Kyoto-city, KyotoPhone: 075-641-7331
Access: JR Inari Station
Fushimi Inari is the head shrine of Inari shines in Japan. It's originally built in 711. The God is known for the divine favors of business prosperity and good harvest.
5. Atsuta Jingu Shrine
1-1-1 Jingu Atsuta-ku Nagoya-city, AichiPhone: 052-671-4151
Access: Meitetsu Train Jingu-mae Station
The main deity in this shrine is Atsuta-no-ookami (Amaterasu-Oomikami). Atsuta Jingu has nearly 2000 years of history. Kusanagi-no-tsurugi (the sacred sword) which symbolizes the Imperial throne is enshrined.
6. Sumiyoshi Taisha
2-9-8 Sumiyoshi Sumiyoshi-ku Osaka-cityPhone: 06-6672-0753
Access: Nankai Testudo Train Sumiyoshi Taisha Station
Sumiyoshi Taisha is the head shrine of Shumiyoshi shrines in Japan. Deities enshrined here are Sokotsutsunowonomikoto, Nakatsutsunowonomikoto, Uhatsutsunowonomikoto, and Empress Shingu. Buildings are designated as national treasures.
7. Sensoji Temple
Photo by Shizuko Mishima
2-3-1 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03(3842)0181
Access: Tokyo Subway Asakusa Station
It's the head temple of Seikannon Buddhist sect and is known as Asakusa Kannon. A large and red lantern hung at kaminari-mon gate is well-known.
Phone: 03(3842)0181
Access: Tokyo Subway Asakusa Station
It's the head temple of Seikannon Buddhist sect and is known as Asakusa Kannon. A large and red lantern hung at kaminari-mon gate is well-known.
8. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Photo by Shizuko Mishima
2-1-31 Yukinoshita Kamakura-city Kanagawa
Phone: 0467-22-0315
Access: JR Kamakura Station
Originally, Minamoto Yoriyoshi built the shrine in 1067. Deities enshrined here are Emperor Ojin, Himegami, Empress Jingu. It's known as a guardian deity of samurai in Kamakura era.
Phone: 0467-22-0315
Access: JR Kamakura Station
Originally, Minamoto Yoriyoshi built the shrine in 1067. Deities enshrined here are Emperor Ojin, Himegami, Empress Jingu. It's known as a guardian deity of samurai in Kamakura era.
9. Dazaifu Tenmangu
4-7-1 Saifu Dazaifu-city, FukuokaPhone: 092-922-8225
Access: Nishitesu Dazaifu Station
This is the head shrine of Tenmangu shrines in Japan. When Michizane Sugawara died in 903 in Dazaifu, he was deified and has been worshipped as the God of scholastic.
10. Hikawa Jinja
1-407 Takahana-cho Omiya-ku Saitama-city, SaitamaPhoneF048-641-0137
Access: JR Omiya Station / Tobu Tetsudo Kita-Omiya Station
It's the head shrine of Hikawa Jinja in Japan. It enshrines Susanoonomikoto, Inadahimenomikoto, and Oonamuchinomikoto.
