Hello, I’m Kodak.
In Japan, the beginning of a new year is not only a time for countdown parties and fireworks.
Many people make their first religious visit of the year to pray for health, happiness, success, and safety.
初詣 (hatsumōde) is the first visit of the new year to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple.
People usually pray for a good year, buy charms, draw fortunes, and enjoy the festive New Year atmosphere.
Hiragana: はつもうで
Romaji: hatsumōde / hatsumoude / hatsumode
Natural English: the first shrine or temple visit of the new year
Typical time: the first days of January
Hatsumode is a Japanese New Year custom in which people make their first visit of the year to a shrine or temple and pray for good fortune.
It is not limited to Shinto shrines. Famous Buddhist temples such as Sensoji in Tokyo also welcome large numbers of hatsumode visitors.
What Does Hatsumode Mean?
初詣 (hatsumōde) means visiting a shrine or temple for the first time in the new year.
Hatsumōde ni iku.
to go on one’s first shrine or temple visit of the year
初詣をする
Hatsumōde o suru.
to make a New Year visit to a shrine or temple
初詣で一年の健康を祈る
Hatsumōde de ichinen no kenkō o inoru.
to pray for good health during the coming year at hatsumode
元日に家族で初詣に行きました。
Ganjitsu ni kazoku de hatsumōde ni ikimashita.
I went to hatsumode with my family on New Year’s Day.
今年は明治神宮へ初詣に行く予定です。
Kotoshi wa Meiji Jingū e hatsumōde ni iku yotei desu.
I plan to visit Meiji Jingu for hatsumode this year.
You can do hatsumode every January, even if you have visited the same shrine many times before.
Hatsumode in Kanji: 初＋詣
first; beginning; initial
詣 (mōde)
a visit to a shrine or temple for worship
初詣
the first worship visit of the year
The first kanji, 初, appears in many Japanese New Year words describing the first experience of the year.
the first sunrise of the year
初夢 (hatsuyume)
the first dream of the year
初売り (hatsuuri)
the first sales of the year
初詣 (hatsumōde)
the first shrine or temple visit of the year
For beginners, it is easiest to learn 初詣 as one complete word.
How to Pronounce Hatsumode
Standard romanization: hatsumōde
Keyboard-friendly romaji: hatsumoude
Common search spelling: hatsumode
Rhythm: ha-tsu-mo-u-de
Mora count: 5
The もう (mō) part contains a long “o” vowel. Do not shorten it too much.
ha / tsu / mo / o / de
Say ha-tsu-mō-de, with a long Japanese “o” sound and a clear final de.
Can Hatsumode Be Done at a Temple or Only at a Shrine?
Hatsumode can be done at either:
a Shinto shrine
Often recognized by a torii gate
お寺 / 寺院 (otera / jiin)
a Buddhist temple
Often recognized by a temple gate, Buddhist halls, statues, or incense
Japan’s official tourism guides define hatsumode as the first New Year visit to a shrine or temple.
A more accurate explanation is “the first shrine or temple visit of the new year.” Sensoji, Naritasan Shinshoji, and Kawasaki Daishi are Buddhist temples famous for hatsumode.
When Do People Go to Hatsumode?
Many people visit during the first three days of January, known as 三が日 (sanganichi).
・just after midnight on January 1
・during New Year’s Day
・January 2 or January 3
・later in the New Year period when crowds are smaller
・the first convenient shrine or temple visit of the year
There is no rule requiring everyone to arrive at exactly midnight. Many families visit during the daytime, while others wait until later to avoid the largest crowds.
The first few days are traditional and festive, but the meaning is not destroyed simply because you visit later.
What Do People Pray for at Hatsumode?
People commonly express gratitude for the past year and pray for the year ahead.
・health and safety
・family happiness
・success at school or work
・business prosperity
・safe travel
・passing an examination
・love and relationships
・protection from misfortune
今年も家族が健康でありますように。
Kotoshi mo kazoku ga kenkō de arimasu yō ni.
I hope my family will remain healthy this year.
試験に合格できますように。
Shiken ni gōkaku dekimasu yō ni.
I hope I can pass the exam.
The most important things are sincerity, calm behavior, and respect for the people worshipping around you.
What Do People Do During Hatsumode?
・make an offering and pray
・draw an おみくじ fortune
・receive a new お守り amulet
・return an old amulet to an approved collection point
・write a wish on an 絵馬 wooden plaque
・receive a 御朱印 temple or shrine seal
・buy a 破魔矢 decorative arrow for protection
・enjoy food stalls where available
Omikuji: New Year Fortunes
おみくじ (omikuji) are paper fortunes showing categories such as good luck, future luck, or bad luck.
初詣でおみくじを引きました。
Hatsumōde de omikuji o hikimashita.
I drew a fortune at hatsumode.
Omamori: Protective Amulets
お守り (omamori) are amulets associated with protection, study, health, safe travel, relationships, and other wishes.
Some sites accept only particular sacred items, and the collection rules can differ. Do not leave ordinary decorations, plastic, or unrelated objects without permission.
How to Pray at a Shinto Shrine
The following is the common basic pattern. Individual shrines may have different customs, so follow local instructions.
Bow lightly before entering the sacred grounds.
2. Walk beside the center of the path
Traditionally, the center is treated as the route of the kami.
3. Purify your hands and mouth
Use the water basin when it is open and available.
4. Make an offering
Place a coin quietly in the offertory box.
5. Bow twice
6. Clap twice
7. Pray silently
8. Bow once
Some people choose a five-yen coin because 五円 (go-en) sounds like ご縁 (goen), meaning a connection or good relationship, but this is wordplay rather than a requirement.
How to Use the Purification Basin
2. Hold it in your left hand and wash your right hand.
3. Pour water into your hand and rinse your mouth.
4. Do not touch the ladle directly to your mouth.
5. Follow any simplified procedure or signs provided at the site.
How to Pray at a Buddhist Temple
Temple etiquette differs from shrine etiquette.
・bow respectfully at the gate
・purify your hands if a basin is available
・offer incense if appropriate
・place an offering in the box
・put your hands together and pray silently
・bow respectfully
・do not clap unless the temple specifically instructs visitors to do so
Remember:
shrine ⇒ two bows, two claps, one bow
temple ⇒ hands together quietly, usually no clapping
Hatsumode Etiquette for Visitors
・follow signs and staff directions
・keep your voice low near worship areas
・wait patiently in the line
・respect photography restrictions
・make space after finishing your prayer
・dress warmly for long outdoor waits
Do not:
・push through the crowd
・block the prayer area for photos
・photograph people closely without permission
・use a drone
・eat or drink outside designated areas
・leave trash or inappropriate objects at the shrine or temple
You do not need to claim a religious identity. You can participate as a sincere cultural visitor and quietly reflect on the year ahead.
Hatsumode in Tokyo: Which Shrine or Temple Should You Choose?
Tokyo offers everything from enormous, crowded celebrations to quieter neighborhood visits.
The “best” place depends on the experience you want.
for an iconic Tokyo hatsumode and a vast forest setting
Choose Sensoji
for a Buddhist temple visit and the atmosphere of Asakusa
Choose Kanda Myojin
for a historic central shrine near Akihabara and Ochanomizu
Choose Tokyo Daijingu
for prayers connected with relationships and matchmaking
Choose Hie Shrine
for a convenient central Tokyo shrine near Akasaka
Choose Okunitama Jinja
for a major historic shrine outside the busiest central districts
1. Meiji Jingu: The Iconic Tokyo Hatsumode
Area: Harajuku / Yoyogi
Type: Shinto shrine
Good for: first-time visitors, a grand atmosphere, forest surroundings
Nearest stations: Harajuku, Meiji-jingumae, Yoyogi, Sangubashi
Meiji Jingu is one of Tokyo’s most famous hatsumode destinations. Tokyo’s official tourism guide reports that several million people visit between New Year’s Eve and January 3.
The shrine is surrounded by a large forest, but the approach from the gate to the main worship area takes time. During the busiest hours, visitors should expect controlled routes and long lines.
For a calm first prayer of the year, a smaller local shrine may be more comfortable and just as meaningful.
2. Sensoji: Hatsumode at a Buddhist Temple
Area: Asakusa
Type: Buddhist temple
Good for: traditional Tokyo scenery, temple culture, Asakusa sightseeing
Nearest station: Asakusa
Sensoji’s official English guide lists hatsumode as a New Year event from January 1 through January 7, when visitors pray for safety, health, and a good harvest during the coming year.
Because Sensoji is a Buddhist temple, join your hands in prayer but do not use the Shinto clapping ritual.
Sensoji is one of the clearest examples showing that hatsumode does not mean “shrine only.”
3. Kanda Myojin: A Historic Shrine Near Akihabara
Formal name: 神田神社
Area: Kanda / Ochanomizu / Akihabara
Type: Shinto shrine
Good for: central access, Edo history, pairing with an Akihabara visit
Nearest stations: Ochanomizu, Akihabara
Kanda Myojin’s official guide describes a history of about 1,300 years and lists Daikoku-sama, Ebisu-sama, and Masakado-sama among its enshrined deities.
Its location makes it convenient for travelers staying around central or eastern Tokyo.
Just separate the moods: behave calmly and respectfully inside the shrine grounds.
4. Tokyo Daijingu: A Shrine Known for Relationships
Area: Iidabashi
Type: Shinto shrine
Good for: relationship wishes, matchmaking, a compact urban shrine
Nearest station: Iidabashi
Tokyo Daijingu’s official guide explains that the shrine is widely visited by people praying for a good marriage and relationships. Tokyo’s official tourism site also highlights its connection with matchmaking.
Because the grounds are more compact than Meiji Jingu, busy periods can still produce a substantial line.
5. Hie Shrine: Convenient for Central Tokyo
Area: Akasaka / Nagatacho
Type: Shinto shrine
Good for: a central location, pairing with an Akasaka or government-district itinerary
Nearest stations: Akasaka, Tameike-sanno, Kokkai-gijidomae, Akasaka-mitsuke
Hie Shrine is located in the political and business center of Tokyo and is accessible from several subway stations.
It can be a practical choice for visitors who want a significant shrine without traveling to the Harajuku or Asakusa areas.
6. Okunitama Jinja: A Major Shrine in Western Tokyo
Area: Fuchu
Type: Shinto shrine
Good for: history, western Tokyo, travelers seeking an alternative to central districts
Nearest stations: Fuchu, Fuchuhommachi
Tokyo’s official tourism guide describes Okunitama Jinja as one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines, with a history of about 1,900 years, and reports that it receives around 500,000 New Year visitors.
It is still a major hatsumode destination, so “outside central Tokyo” does not automatically mean “empty.”
How to Choose a Tokyo Hatsumode Location
⇒ Meiji Jingu
I want a Buddhist temple and old Tokyo atmosphere.
⇒ Sensoji
I am staying near Akihabara.
⇒ Kanda Myojin
I want to pray for relationships.
⇒ Tokyo Daijingu
I am staying around Akasaka or central government districts.
⇒ Hie Shrine
I want to explore western Tokyo.
⇒ Okunitama Jinja
I strongly dislike crowds.
⇒ visit a neighborhood shrine or temple later in the holiday period
Hatsumode is not a competition to visit the most famous location. A quiet and sincere visit can be more meaningful than spending hours in a famous crowd.
Best Time for Hatsumode in Tokyo
Most festive and memorable, but potentially extremely crowded
Daytime on January 1
Traditional and lively, but still very busy at famous sites
January 2–3
Festive atmosphere continues; major locations remain crowded
After the first three days
Often easier for visitors who value space and shorter waits
Early morning on a later day
A practical choice for a calmer experience
New Year opening hours, train services, entrance routes, and crowd controls change from year to year. Always check the official shrine or temple website shortly before visiting.
Check the official railway timetable instead of relying on an old travel article.
What to Wear and Bring
・warm layers
・comfortable shoes
・a small amount of cash and coins
・a charged phone
・a compact bag
・water, if permitted and used outside worship areas
・patience for lines and controlled routes
You do not need to wear a kimono. Ordinary clean, warm clothing is completely acceptable.
Useful Japanese Phrases for Hatsumode
Hatsumōde ni ikimasu ka?
Are you going to hatsumode?
どこへ初詣に行くの？
Doko e hatsumōde ni iku no?
Where are you going for hatsumode?
おみくじを引こう。
Omikuji o hikō.
Let’s draw a fortune.
お守りを買いたいです。
Omamori o kaitai desu.
I would like to buy an amulet.
参拝の列はどこですか？
Sanpai no retsu wa doko desu ka?
Where is the line for worship?
今年も良い一年になりますように。
Kotoshi mo yoi ichinen ni narimasu yō ni.
I hope this will be a good year.
Natural Example Sentences with Hatsumode
毎年、家族と初詣に行きます。
Maitoshi, kazoku to hatsumōde ni ikimasu.
I go to hatsumode with my family every year.
初詣は神社だけでなく、お寺でもできます。
Hatsumōde wa jinja dake de naku, otera demo dekimasu.
Hatsumode can be done not only at shrines but also at temples.
初詣で今年の健康を祈りました。
Hatsumōde de kotoshi no kenkō o inorimashita.
I prayed for good health this year at hatsumode.
有名な神社は初詣の人で混んでいました。
Yūmei na jinja wa hatsumōde no hito de konde imashita.
The famous shrine was crowded with hatsumode visitors.
混雑を避けるため、五日に初詣をしました。
Konzatsu o sakeru tame, itsuka ni hatsumōde o shimashita.
I made my New Year visit on January 5 to avoid the crowds.
初詣でおみくじを引いたら、大吉でした。
Hatsumōde de omikuji o hiitara, daikichi deshita.
I drew a fortune at hatsumode, and it was excellent luck.
去年のお守りを返して、新しいお守りを受けました。
Kyonen no omamori o kaeshite, atarashii omamori o ukemashita.
I returned last year’s amulet and received a new one.
東京で初詣をするなら、どの神社がおすすめですか？
Tōkyō de hatsumōde o suru nara, dono jinja ga osusume desu ka?
Which shrine do you recommend for hatsumode in Tokyo?
浅草寺は神社ではなく、仏教のお寺です。
Sensōji wa jinja de wa naku, Bukkyō no otera desu.
Sensoji is not a shrine; it is a Buddhist temple.
参拝時間は毎年変わることがあるので、公式サイトを確認してください。
Sanpai jikan wa maitoshi kawaru koto ga aru node, kōshiki saito o kakunin shite kudasai.
Worship hours may change each year, so please check the official website.
The History of Hatsumode
Hatsumode is connected with older New Year customs, but the modern nationwide form did not appear all at once.
People stayed overnight at or visited the shrine of their local protective deity, and some visited a shrine or temple in the year’s lucky direction.
↓
Ehomairi
People worshipped at a shrine or temple located in the auspicious direction for that year.
↓
Modern transportation
Railways made it easier to travel to famous religious sites outside one’s immediate neighborhood.
↓
Modern hatsumode
The first New Year visit to a chosen shrine or temple became a widely shared national custom.
The National Diet Library of Japan explains that railways changed New Year worship by making distant temples and shrines easier to visit. JNTO similarly describes modern hatsumode as developing from older customs such as ehomairi and becoming popular in the late nineteenth century alongside railway promotion.
New Year worship customs were already present. Railways and advertising helped reshape where, when, and how large numbers of people visited, producing the modern form familiar today.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Believing Hatsumode Is Only for Shinto Shrines
Both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are valid hatsumode destinations.
Mistake 2: Clapping at a Buddhist Temple
The familiar two-bows, two-claps, one-bow pattern is a Shinto shrine custom. At a Buddhist temple, join your hands quietly without clapping.
Mistake 3: Pronouncing It Like “Hatsu Mode”
The correct Japanese rhythm is は・つ・も・う・で, with a long “o” sound.
Mistake 4: Thinking It Must Happen at Midnight
Midnight is one option. Many people visit during the daytime or later in January.
Mistake 5: Treating the Shrine as a Photo Set
Shrines and temples are active places of worship. Do not block prayer areas or ignore photography restrictions.
Mistake 6: Depending on Old New Year Opening Hours
Schedules, routes, train service, and crowd controls may change every year. Check current official information shortly before the visit.
FAQ About Hatsumode
What does hatsumode mean?
Hatsumode means the first shrine or temple visit of the new year.
How do you write hatsumode in Japanese?
It is written 初詣 in kanji and はつもうで in hiragana.
How do you pronounce hatsumode?
Pronounce it ha-tsu-mō-de. The mō contains a long “o” sound.
Is hatsumode only at a shrine?
No. People visit both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples for hatsumode.
When should I go to hatsumode?
The first three days of January are most traditional, but your first shrine or temple visit later in the New Year period can also be hatsumode.
Can tourists participate in hatsumode?
Yes. Tourists and nonbelievers are generally welcome when they follow local etiquette and behave respectfully.
What do people pray for at hatsumode?
Common wishes include health, safety, happiness, academic success, work, business prosperity, relationships, and protection from misfortune.
What is the difference between shrine and temple etiquette?
At many shrines, visitors bow twice, clap twice, pray, and bow once. At Buddhist temples, visitors usually put their hands together and pray without clapping.
Which Tokyo shrine is best for hatsumode?
Meiji Jingu is the iconic large-scale choice. Kanda Myojin is convenient from Akihabara, Tokyo Daijingu is known for relationship prayers, Hie Shrine is convenient in central Tokyo, and Okunitama Jinja is a major option in western Tokyo.
Can I do hatsumode at Sensoji?
Yes. Sensoji is a Buddhist temple and one of Tokyo’s major hatsumode destinations.
Is hatsumode free?
Entering and praying at many shrines and temples is free, although offerings, charms, fortunes, seals, gardens, museums, or special prayers may involve fees.
Do I need to wear a kimono?
No. Ordinary clean and warm clothing is fine.
Related Japanese New Year Words
明けましておめでとうございます — Happy New Year
お年玉 (otoshidama) — New Year money given mainly to children
大晦日 (ōmisoka) — New Year’s Eve
初日の出 (hatsuhinode) — the first sunrise of the year
初夢 (hatsuyume) — the first dream of the year
おみくじ (omikuji) — a paper fortune
お守り (omamori) — a protective amulet
Explore the complete guide here: Japanese New Year Words and Traditions.
Summary: Hatsumode Meaning and Tokyo Shrines
Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the new year.
● Japanese writing
Kanji: 初詣
Hiragana: はつもうで
Romaji: hatsumōde / hatsumoude / hatsumode
● Where
Hatsumode can be done at either a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple.
● When
The first three days of January are most popular, but a later first visit can also count.
● Shrine etiquette
Commonly: bow twice, clap twice, pray, and bow once.
● Temple etiquette
Join your hands and pray quietly; usually do not clap.
● Popular Tokyo choices
Meiji Jingu, Sensoji, Kanda Myojin, Tokyo Daijingu, Hie Shrine, and Okunitama Jinja.
● Travel advice
New Year hours, railway schedules, and crowd-control routes change, so check official information before visiting.
“Hatsumode is the Japanese custom of making your first shrine or temple visit of the new year and praying for good fortune.”
References
- Kotobank: 初詣で
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Countdowns, Hatsuuri and Hatsumode
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Shrine and Temple Traditions
- National Diet Library: How Railways Changed Travel and Hatsumode
- GO TOKYO: Hatsumode at Meiji Jingu
- Meiji Jingu: Temizu and Sampai
- Meiji Jingu: Official Access Guide
- Sensoji: Official English Guide
- Kanda Myojin: Official Guide and Access
- Tokyo Daijingu: Official English Guide
- Hie Shrine: Official Guide
- GO TOKYO: Okunitama Jinja