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Hatsumode Etiquette|When to Make Your First Shrine Visit of the Year

Hatsumode is the first visit to a shrine or temple in the New Year. People give thanks for the past year and pray for a safe and happy new one. It is one of the most important New Year traditions in Japan.

When should you go?

Most people go during the first three days of January (sanganichi), when famous shrines and temples are extremely crowded.

If you cannot go then, a visit during matsu-no-uchi — the period when New Year decorations stay up, until about January 7 in most areas and about January 15 in Kansai and some other regions — is generally still considered hatsumode. Many people think any time in January is fine, and there is no strict deadline. Choosing a quieter day to pray calmly is a good idea too.

What if your family is in mourning?

You are not forbidden from making hatsumode while in mourning, but shrines and temples see it a little differently:

• Shrines: in Shinto, the first 50 days after a death (kichu) are a period when people usually refrain from visiting shrines. After that period, visiting is considered fine.
• Temples: Buddhism does not regard death as impure, so you may visit a temple even during mourning.

If you are unsure, you can ask the shrine or temple you would like to visit.

Manners in the crowd

• Follow the staff’s directions and wait your turn in line.
• Do not push, and do not throw coins over the heads of people in front of you — it can hurt someone.
• The center of the approach is the deity’s path; walk to the side when you can.
• After praying, step aside quickly so the next person can pray.
• Eat food from the stalls in the designated areas, and take your rubbish home or use the bins provided.

What people do at hatsumode

• Return last year’s amulets and talismans
• Receive new amulets and talismans
• Draw an omikuji to see their fortune for the year
• Receive lucky charms such as hamaya arrows or kumade rakes

For the basic etiquette, see “How to Pray at a Shrine”; for returning amulets, see “Omamori and Ofuda”.

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