Japanese Hatsumode:
Table of Contents
Japanese Hatsumode is the most significant event in Japan. It happens at the same time as the English New Year. If we translate, it may be easy to understand if we say New Year in Japan (Hatsumode).
However, the exact meaning of Hatsumode in Japanese is the first prayer of the year.
‘Hatsu’ means first, and ‘mode’ implies prayer. But together, Hatsumode suggests the first prayer of the year.
The people who believe in Shintoism usually go to the Shinto shrine on December 31 and wait for the New Year. When the next year begins (12 pm is over), they offer a good luck prayer.
In a short, New Year in Japan (Hatsumode) is the happiest moment to the Japanese people.
Some people go to the Buddhist Temple:
According to Japanese culture, the government usually keeps off work from December 29- January 3. As a result, everyone in Japan gets a chance to meet with family members during the New Year in Japan (Hatsumode).
Besides, meeting with family members, everyone can go to Shrine or Temple to offer prayer on December 31. So the Shrines and Temples become overcrowed on December 31 night.
However, people go to the Buddhist Temple instead of the Shinto shrine because most people believe that no matter which temple or Shrine they go, god is one.
That’s why during the New Year in Japan (Hatsumode), Asakusa Senso-ji Temple becomes overcrowded, and police stop vehicles all the Asakusa area.
Most likely, the Shinto shrine and Buddhist Temple in Japan are universal.
Million of people offer prayer on the day:
The diversity of Japanese culture is different from other countries. Japanese are busy the whole year and hardly go to Shrine and Temple.
But, during the New Year, all people go to the Shrine and Temple. They wait in the long queue hours after hours to offer prayers.
According to the Shrines records, 3.45 million people offered prayers in Tokyo Meiji shine in three days, starting from December 31-January 3 in 1998.
Similarly, 3.2 million people offered their New Year prayer in Meiji Shrine, 2.98 million in Narita-san, 2.96 million in Kawasaki Daishi, 2.7 million at Fushimi Inari-Tisha, and 2.6 million at Sumiyoshi Taisha in 2010.
New Year in Japan (Hatsumode) is related to good luck and a Japanese spiritual life event.
The custom of Hatsumode:
In front of the Shrines and Temples, three common things can be found. One is a big burning pot, a water fountain, and a good luck oracle(omikuji) house.
According to the belief, people buy amulets (in Japanese omamori) every year. But they take old amulets to the Shrine and burn in the burning pot.
Similarly, people buy oracles. Unfortunately, if the oracle predicts bad luck, they tie it on the tree in front of the Shrine, which means that the prediction will not come true.
The festive week of Hatsumode:
The people in Japan are busy the whole year with their work. But during the New Year in Japan (Hatsumode), they have a long holiday, which they never miss to enjoy the time.
They go to the Shrine, restaurants, and New Year festivals. The whole of japan becomes festive. Usually, week-long fairs sit in front of Shrines and Temples during the Hatsumode.
Besides, family members roam together outside. Go to restaurants, driving, and shopping.
What to do and where to enjoy December 31 in Tokyo:.
Tokyo is a Metropolitan city where more than 36 million people live. The eve of the New Year is fantastic, and there are numerous places to celebrate it.
Where do you celebrate the New Year in Tokyo? It depends on your choice.
If you love Shrine, then the Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Senso-ji shrine, will be suitable. But both of these shrine lineups can be several hours if you wish to give a prayer.
Tokyo Tower does a countdown celebration. The lights change colors, date changes, and balloons are released.
Similarly, Tokyo Skytree does the same. Thousands of people wait at the Skytree to celebrate New Year at midnight.
Besides, Tokyo Disney land, Takao Mountain, Shibuya, and all the nightclub celebrate New Year in Japan (Hatsumode) according to their style.
Among the nightclub, Ageha is one of the best places to celebrate New Year in Tokyo.
Keep booking restaurant early :
As I mentioned above, the New Year in Japan(Hatsumode) is the most popular event in Japan. In Japan, the event means good foods and a good time.
Most of the government and non-government offices remain closed. However, serving industries such as hotels and restaurants are open.
Because of Hatsumode, every family goes to restaurants and enjoys a family gathering meal at least once during the Hatsumode. As a result, most of the popular restaurants become booked before a few months.
So, if you’re a tourist in Tokyo, you may not get a seat for your meals to popular restaurants without booking earlier in the three days during the New Year in Japan (Hatsumode).
Some of the Tours you may enjoy during the Hatsumode:
During the New Year in Japan (Hatsumode), people go out and enjoy. Those who are single go-to ‘Day Tours’ with their friends and have fun.
However, in Tokyo, some of the tours are very famous. They’re City Bus Tour, Skyree Tour, Roppongi Hill Tour.
But those who like driving and they usually go driving. Some people have fun with different cultural and country people, such as Go-Karting tour, Tokyo Bay Cruise Tour.
Besides the tours mentioned above, there’re numerous tours in Tokyo.
Asakusa: History Tour and Live Performance with Lunch
Tokyo: Welcome to Asakusa Private Tour, Tokyo: 2-Hour Asakusa Food Hunt & Cultural Tour, Tokyo: Personalized Private 6-Hour Tour, Tokyo: Private Hidden Gems & Highlights Walking Tour, Tokyo: Private Sightseeing Tour, Tokyo Food Tour: 3-Hour Culinary Adventure, etc.
In other words, people have fun the whole week during the Hatsumode in Japan.
Are you still trying to find out something you like?
Please put your questions inside the ‘Find Things to Do’ below.
The final point of Hatsumode:
Besides, you may like to taste Japanese style food. There are many famous restaurants in Asakusa.
However, never forget to make a booking online because Asakusa is a tourist spot; without making a booking, you may not be able to get seats in the restaurants.
You can find different types of restaurants here.
Most of the tours, hotels, and restaurants become very busy during the New Year in Japan(Hatsumode); if you plan to visit Tokyo and have fun, please never miss booking advance.
Otherwise, you may miss the things you want to do during the Hatsumode in Tokyo. Online booking will help you to save your time and ensure your favorite things to do in time.
Tokyo Tourists wishes you a great trip to Tokyo.
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