Hatsumode in Tokyo: 7 Best Shrines and Temples to Worship during New Year’s Holidays

Best for New Year’s Day Visiting “Hatsumode” in Tokyo

Best Shrines and Temples to Worship during New Year’s Holidays

Best for New Year’s Day Visiting “Hatsumode” in Tokyo

Japanese people visit shrines and temples for their religions, and those historical sites are also visited by foreign tourists as popular tourist sites.

This is an introduction of 7 most-visited shrines and temples in Tokyo and around (Saitama and Kanagawa). These 7 places are also best for New Year’s Day Worshipping, attracting worshippers the most in Hatsumode season.

Hatsumode is one of Japanese traditional customs, and they visit a shrine or temple on New Year’s holidays to wish a happy new year.

Each of the top popular shrines and temples draw millions people only for a few days of New Year’s holidays.

Let’s pray at the spiritual shrines and temples during New Year’s holidays.

1. Meiji Jingu Shrine (Tokyo)

▼Tokyo’s most-visited shrines in rich nature of Harajuku▼

Estimated Visitors on 1–3 Jan: 3.2 million

2. Sensoji Temple (Tokyo)

▼Symbolic temple in Tokyo with red Kaminarimon Gate and lantern▼

Estimated Visitors on 1–3 Jan: 2.9 million

3. Omiya Hikawa Shrine (Saitama)

▼One of the largest shrines in Japan with 2000 years history▼

Estimated Visitors on 1–3 Jan: 2 million

4. Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple (Kanagawa)

▼The god to expel evil spirits and bad luck is enshrined▼

Estimated Visitors on 1–3 Jan: 3 million

5. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine (Tokyo)

▼A blanch shrine of the Ise Grand Shrine and Shinto wedding ceremonies are held▼

Estimated Visitors on 1–3 Jan: 45 thousand

6. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (Kanagawa)

▼Old shrine since 1063 in the Samurai town Kamakura▼

Estimated Visitors on 1–3 Jan: 2.5 million

7. Kandamyojin Shrine (Tokyo)

▼Tokyo’s most powerful and oldest shrine in the pop-culture town Akihabara▼

Estimated Visitors on 1–3 Jan: 300 thousand


Visit the popular shrines and temples above like Japanese local if you travel Japan, especially in New Year’s holidays. You might also like these articles below.

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I'm writing by my motto: helping travelers spend their limited time experiencing something priceless in Japan. My articles won't let you down! Living in Tokyo and traveling many popular and hidden sites all over Japan, I deliver well-selected and latest tourist information to you from the perspective of “100% Japanese local”. My specific interests are island hopping, eating countless bowls of ramen, watching anime and reading manga. Enjoy Japan Web Magazine for recommended food spots, hidden gems Japanese Otaku (geek) culture, and everything about Japan :)