New Year in Japan: Hatsumode, Traditions and Travel Tips

New Year in Japan feels very different from the loud, party-focused end of the year in many other countries. Streets go quiet, trains slow down, and people turn their attention to family, shrines and temples. In this guide, you’ll see what New Year in Japan really looks like: how people celebrate, what hatsumode (the first shrine or temple visit of the year) is, and how you can join respectfully as a visitor. Use it to decide whether to travel at this time, where to go, and how to make your trip feel more connected to Japanese culture.

If you want to check exact holidays, lucky days and seasonal markers while you read, keep our Japanese Calendar open in another tab.

What New Year in Japan feels like

In Japan, New Year is more important than Christmas. Offices close, many shops shut for several days, and people travel back to their hometowns. The last week of December is busy with end-of-year parties, cleaning and final errands. On the night of December 31st, you may hear temple bells ringing 108 times to symbolically clear away human desires and start the year fresh.

On the morning of January 1st, streets can feel almost strangely quiet. Trains run less frequently, some cafés never open, and families stay at home watching New Year TV shows, eating special food and visiting their local shrine or temple. Rather than big midnight countdown parties, New Year in Japan is about creating a calm, ordered beginning and reconnecting with traditions.

For travelers, this can be both surprising and beautiful. You may find certain restaurants closed, but you will also see scenes you cannot experience at any other time of year: people in kimono walking towards shrines, long but peaceful lines of visitors, and quiet residential streets that feel almost like a holiday postcard.

Key New Year traditions at a glance

Here are some of the most important traditions you’ll encounter during New Year in Japan. You don’t have to do all of them, but understanding the basic ideas will help you travel more comfortably.

Joya no kane – temple bells on New Year’s Eve

On the night of December 31st, many Buddhist temples ring their main bell 108 times. This ritual is called joya no kane, and it represents cleansing 108 human desires or attachments. At some temples, visitors can line up to ring the bell themselves. If you join, follow the instructions of the staff and keep voices low – the mood is calm and reflective rather than festive.

Hatsuhinode – watching the first sunrise

Hatsuhinode means watching the first sunrise of the year, often from a hill, seaside spot or rooftop. Some people travel to special viewpoints or even climb mountains in the dark to see it. As a visitor, you can simply choose a safe viewpoint near your accommodation and enjoy the quiet atmosphere as the sky brightens on January 1st.

Hatsumode – first shrine or temple visit

Hatsumode is the first visit to a shrine or temple in the new year. Families and groups of friends go to express gratitude, pray for health and good fortune, and sometimes buy new lucky charms. This is one of the most visible parts of New Year in Japan, with long lines at famous spots and smaller, more relaxed visits at local shrines. We’ll look at how to join respectfully in more detail below.

Osechi and ozoni – New Year foods

Traditional New Year food is called osechi ryori: beautifully arranged dishes in stacked boxes, each with symbolic meaning (long life, good harvest, health and so on). Another important dish is ozoni, a soup with rice cake (mochi) whose ingredients vary by region. Many families prepare or order these in advance and spend the first days of the year eating slowly at home.

Nengajo – New Year postcards

Instead of Christmas cards, many people in Japan send New Year postcards called nengajo. They often feature the zodiac animal of the year, small messages of thanks and wishes for the year ahead. The postal service tries to deliver them exactly on January 1st, so post offices are very busy in late December.

Fukubukuro and first sales

In early January, many shops sell fukubukuro, or “lucky bags” filled with mystery items at a discount. There are also “first sales” where people line up for bargains. This can be a fun contrast to the otherwise quiet mood of New Year in Japan, especially in large cities and department stores.

Hatsumode: how to join respectfully

Hatsumode is one of the most interesting moments to experience New Year in Japan as a visitor. You are welcome to join, as long as you move slowly, follow the flow and respect the space.

When people go for hatsumode

The busiest period for hatsumode is from the night of December 31st through January 3rd. Famous shrines and temples can have lines stretching far outside the grounds, especially around midnight and during the day on January 1st. Smaller local shrines are usually less crowded and can feel more relaxed.

If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting early in the morning on January 1st or on January 2nd–3rd. Always check train schedules in advance, as New Year timetables may differ from normal weekdays.

Where to go – famous vs local shrines and temples

In Tokyo, places like Meiji Jingu or Senso-ji attract huge crowds for hatsumode. In Kyoto, popular spots include Fushimi Inari Taisha and Yasaka Shrine. These are impressive and atmospheric, but you may spend a lot of time in line.

Another option is to visit a smaller shrine or temple near your accommodation. You will still see families in their best clothes, children carrying good-luck arrows, and people drawing paper fortunes, but with less pressure and more space to observe. Watching how local people move, bow and offer coins is one of the best ways to feel the rhythm of New Year in Japan.

How to visit – step-by-step etiquette

Exact customs differ slightly by place, but this simple flow works in most Shinto shrines:

1. At the torii gate
   Pause briefly before you enter, and make a small bow towards the main hall. If there is a clear center line on the path, avoid walking right in the middle – it is considered the path of the gods.
2. At the purification basin (temizuya)
   Take a ladle with your right hand, pour water over your left hand, then switch hands and pour over your right. Pour some water into your left hand to lightly rinse your mouth (do not touch the ladle to your lips), spit beside the basin, then tilt the ladle upright so the remaining water rinses the handle before you put it back.
3. At the main hall
   When you reach the offering box, throw a coin (5 yen is popular but not required), make a light bow, ring the bell if there is one, then bow twice, clap twice, pray silently, and bow once more. Move away calmly so the next people can step forward.

At Buddhist temples, you may see people lighting incense, bowing with hands together, or simply standing quietly. If you are unsure what to do, it is perfectly fine to watch from the side.

Omikuji, ema and lucky charms

During hatsumode, many visitors draw omikuji, or paper fortunes. If you receive a good fortune, you can keep it with you. If the message is bad, people often tie the paper to special racks or tree branches at the shrine to “leave” the bad luck there.

You will also see ema, small wooden plaques where people write wishes for the new year and hang them on racks near the main hall. Buying an omamori (lucky charm) for traffic safety, good health or exam success is common too. These are meaningful souvenirs, but they are also religious items, so avoid treating them as decorative toys.

If you would like to learn more about shrines, temples and other cultural basics, explore our Japanese Culture Guides.

When to travel for New Year in Japan

Visiting during New Year in Japan comes with special rewards and practical challenges. It is important to understand both sides before you fix your dates.

Many businesses close from around December 29th to January 3rd. Big chain stores and some restaurants stay open, but small cafés, galleries and family-run shops may take a longer break. Public transport can be extremely crowded just before and after January 1st as people travel to and from their hometowns.

On the other hand, this is one of the few times when you can feel large Japanese cities becoming quiet. You may walk through Shibuya or Shinjuku and find them calmer than on a normal weekend, especially in the early mornings of January 1st and 2nd. Shrines and temples feel alive with visitors, yet the overall mood is gentle rather than noisy.

Recent trends: crowds and inbound travel

In recent years, both domestic and international travel to Japan has grown again, and New Year has become a popular time for visitors who want to experience hatsumode and winter scenery. Major shrines and temples can attract millions of visitors over the first few days of January, and some now share crowd information or live streams on their websites and social media.

If you plan to visit a famous spot, expect long lines and busy trains around midnight and during daytime on January 1st. For a calmer experience, combine one major shrine with a visit to a smaller local place on another day. Always double-check the latest opening hours, special rules and event details on official tourism sites or the shrine’s own website, as arrangements can change from year to year.

To decide your dates: check public holidays and school vacations in our Japanese Calendar, and look at how your target days line up with peak travel periods.

Where to experience New Year: city vs countryside

You can experience New Year in Japan in many different settings. Each offers a slightly different rhythm and set of memories.

Big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto

In big cities you will find the largest shrines and temples, some of the most dramatic hatsumode scenes, and plenty of hotel-based New Year packages. Department stores may offer special osechi boxes and fukubukuro, and public transport is well organized even during busy times.

For culture-first ideas in the capital, explore our Tokyo cultural itineraries and other city itineraries. You can adapt them for winter by focusing on shrines, indoor museums and warm food stops.

Smaller towns and local neighborhoods

In smaller towns or residential neighborhoods, New Year feels more intimate. You might see neighbors greeting each other on the way to a small shrine, children wearing kimono, and the local shopping street partly closed. Lines are shorter, and you can observe details of everyday life: how people bow at the gate, how they help older relatives up steps, how they warm their hands at food stalls.

If you are staying in a guesthouse or small hotel, ask staff which local shrine or temple they recommend. They may suggest a place that rarely appears in guidebooks but is important to the community.

Onsen towns and snow regions

Combining New Year in Japan with an onsen (hot spring) stay can be especially memorable. Soaking in an open-air bath while snow falls around you feels like a quiet reset for the body and mind. Many ryokan serve special New Year meals and may decorate entrances with pine and bamboo arrangements.

If you plan to travel to snow regions, build in extra time for train delays and check weather conditions carefully. Our cultural itineraries and trip-planning tools can help you balance winter scenery with safe, comfortable travel.

Practical tips & etiquette for New Year in Japan

A few practical tips will make your experience of New Year in Japan smoother and more enjoyable.

• Carry cash and small coins. Some smaller stalls and shrines are still cash-based, and you will need coins for offerings and lucky charms.
• Dress very warmly. Late-night hatsumode and early-morning hatsuhinode can be extremely cold. Layers, warm socks, gloves and a scarf will make a big difference while you wait in line.
• Be patient with crowds and closures. Lines move slowly but steadily, and certain shops simply will not open. Treat this as part of the New Year rhythm rather than a failure of your plan.
• Respect personal space while people pray. Avoid standing directly in front of someone who is praying, and do not use flash near the main hall. If you take photos, step to the side and keep movements small.
• Watch and follow. If you are unsure about how to bow, clap or move, simply watch what local people do and follow gently. Small, sincere gestures are more important than perfect technique.
• Plan for limited transport at night. Check last train times and any special New Year schedules before you head out for hatsumode or fireworks.

How to plan your New Year in Japan (next steps)

To plan your New Year in Japan, start with the big questions: what kind of atmosphere do you want, and how much busyness are you comfortable with? Then use our tools and guides to turn that feeling into a realistic itinerary.

1. Check dates, holidays and lucky days. Use our Japanese Calendar to see public holidays, school breaks and traditional markers like sekki and rokuyo.
2. Choose your main base or bases. Decide whether you want a big city experience, a smaller town, or an onsen region. Our Japanese Cultural Itineraries can give you city-by-city ideas to adapt for winter.
3. Balance New Year with other seasonal events. If your trip is longer, combine New Year in Japan with winter illuminations, art museums or snow activities that fit your interests.
4. Use trip-planning tools for the details. To map out days, transport and budgets, try our Free Japan Trip Planner and other planning tools under Plan Your Trip.
5. Learn a bit more culture before you go. A little background knowledge makes every shrine visit feel richer. Browse our Japanese Culture Guides or take one of our culture-first courses to prepare.

Whether you choose a busy city shrine at midnight or a quiet local temple on January 2nd, experiencing New Year in Japan is a meaningful way to see how people reset their lives at the start of the year. Move slowly, notice the small details, and let the season set the pace of your trip.

Related guides on The Wa Story

• Authentic Japanese Calendar 2025–2026: Holidays & Rokuyo
• Seasonal Events in Japan – Year-Round Guide
• Cherry Blossom in Japan (sakura): Culture & Timing
• Autumn Leaves in Japan (koyo): Culture, Timing & Travel Tips
• Hydrangea Highlights in Japan: Rainy-Season Flower Guide
• Fantastic Japanese Cultural Itineraries – Authentic Experiences
• Japan Trip Planning Tools – Overview
• Free Japan Trip Planner – 2-Day Cultural Itinerary Builder

Official resources

• Japan National Tourism Organization – Things to Do During New Year Season
• Japan National Tourism Organization – New Year in Japan: A Virtual Tour
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Go Tokyo – Hatsumode in Tokyo
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Go Tokyo – Best Things to Do in Tokyo in January
• Government of Japan – Prayers for the New Year
• Japan Tourism Agency – Hatsumōde (New Year’s Shrine Visit)