Top 10 Shrines and Temples to Visit at New Year's (Part 1)

If you are in Japan during new year holidays, you can experience “Hatsumōde(初詣)”, the first visit to shrine or temple.

This article will present the top 10 Shrines and Temples to Visit at New Year's in Japan. Visit these 10 renowned shrines and temples to experience hatsumōde, and ring in the Japanese new year with prayers for love, prosperity, health and more!

This article is split into two parts, so be sure to check out part 2 as well!

Contents

What is Hatsumōde(初詣)?
10) Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (成田山新勝寺）/ Chiba Prefecture
9) Tsuruoka Hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮）/ Kanagawa Prefecture
8) Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple (川崎大師平間寺) / Kanagawa Prefecture
7) Kiyiomizu-dera Temple (清水寺) / Kyoto Prefecture
6) Kifune Jinja Shrine (貴船神社) / Kyoto Prefecture

What is Hatsumōde(初詣)?

"Edo-meisho Horinouchi Myohojiso Hatsumode", Utagawa Hiroshige, 1852

Hatsumōde (初詣) is the first visit to Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple in the Japanese New Year. Many visit on the first, second, or third day of the year as most are off work on those days. Generally, wishes for the new year are made, new Omamori (御守：charms or amulets) are bought, and the old ones are returned to the shrine so they can be burned. There are often long lines at major shrines and temples throughout Japan.

You can find more informations about Shrines and Temples: The Ultimate Guide on this article.

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Shrines and Temples: The Ultimate Guide

https://samuraimeetups.or.jp/culture/shrines-and-temples-the-ultimate-guide

Do you know the difference between a Shrine and a Temple? In fact, these two words refer to two completely different religions in Japan. Shrines (神社) are Shinto, while Temples (お寺) are Buddhists. What are the differences between these two rel...

10) Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (成田山新勝寺）/ Chiba Prefecture

Naritasen Shinshoji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in central Narita, Chiba, Japan. It was founded in 940 by Kanchō Daisōjō, a disciple of Kōbō Daishi(弘法大師). It is a lead temple in the Chisan branch of New Shingon, includes a large complex of buildings and grounds, and is one of the best-known temples in the Kantō region.

You can find more informations about Narita City on this article.

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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Narita City

https://samuraimeetups.or.jp/local/top-10-reasons-to-visit-narita-city

You surely know about Narita International Airport, the biggest Japanese airport, but do you know about Narita City? Located near the airport, it provides a wonderful Japanese experience. Here are 10 reasons to visit Narita City: 1) Naritasan Shi...

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple(成田山新勝寺)

Address: Narita 1, Chiba Prefecture 286-0023
Access: 15 minute by foot from JR Narita Station / Keisei Narita Station
Opening hours: 24hours
Entrance fee: Free
Home Page: http://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/

9) Tsuruoka Hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮）/ Kanagawa Prefecture

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was established by Minamoto Yoriyoshi(源頼義),in 1063. First, it built in Iwashimizu(石清水) of Kyoto, then moved in Kamakura. The Hachiman Kami was regarded as the protect Kami of the warrior class. The Shrine is still located at the center of Kamakura,attracting the respect and the faith of many. And there are some Shinji(religious services) or events, it is depend on "Bushido(武士道)" the spirit of SAMURAI.

You can find more informations about Kamakura City on this article.

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Top 5 Things to Do in Kamakura

https://samuraimeetups.or.jp/local/top-5-things-to-do-in-kamakura

Kamakura is about 50 km southwest of Tokyo. From the end of the 12th century through the early 14th century, Kamakura was the seat of the bakufu or feudal military government. The city has many historical and cultural sites and, along with Kyoto a...

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu(鶴岡八幡宮)

Address: 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8588
Access: 15 minute by foot from Kamakura Station
Opening hours: 6:00AM-8:30PM
Entrance fee: Free
Website: http://www.tsurugaoka-hachimangu.jp

8) Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple (川崎大師平間寺) / Kanagawa Prefecture

Kawasaki Daishi (川崎大師) is the popular name of Heiken-ji (平間寺), a Buddhist temple in Kawasaki, Japan. Founded in 1128, it is the headquarters of the Chizan sect of Shingon Buddhism. Kawasaki Daishi is a popular temple for hatsumōde. In 2016, 3 million people engaged in hatsumōde here, the third largest figure in Japan.

Here is more informations about Kawasaki City!

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Kawasaki City: A Blend of Traditional and Modern Culture

https://samuraimeetups.or.jp/local/kawasaki-city-a-blend-of-traditional-and-modern-culture

Kawasaki City(川崎) is located in northeastern Kanagawa Prefecture. Kawasaki is close to Haneda airport and equidistant between Yokohama(横浜) and Tokyo(東京). The area is a charming district with a history as a lodging town and famous for modern ...

Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple (川崎大師平間寺)

Address: 4-48 Daisahi-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-8521
Access: 10 minute by foot from Kawasaki Daishi Station
Opening hours: 24hours
Entrance fee: Free
Website: http://www.kawasakidaishi.com/english/index.html

7) Kiyiomizu-dera Temple (清水寺) / Kyoto Prefecture

Kiyomizu-dera(清水寺) is a syncretic complex comprising a Buddhist temple and a shinto sanctuary, located in the Higashiyama district, east of Kyoto. It is popular in spring and autumn and is one of the city's most popular tours, including the view of the main building built on a mountain slope and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. This majestic temple complex, including the magnificent main pavilion, as well as the walk all around offer a very pleasant and relaxing panorama.

You can find more informations about Kyoto City on this article.

SAMURAI MEETUPS

4 Seasons: The Best Place in Kyoto

https://samuraimeetups.or.jp/culture/4-seasons-the-best-place-in-kyoto

If you are visiting Japan, Kyoto is the first destination you should aim to. Kyoto is a large city located on the main island Honshu, in the Kansai region southwest of Lake Biwa. Former capital of Japan named Heian-kyo during the emperors' er...

Kiyiomizu-dera Temple(清水寺)

Address: 1-294, Kiyomizu, Higashyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862
Access: 10min walk from Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 100 or 206 from Kyoto Station
Opening Hours: Open from 6:00am to 6:00pm
Entrance fee: Adult：400 Yen　Child (Middle School age)：200 Yen
Website: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/

6) Kifune Jinja Shrine (貴船神社) / Kyoto Prefecture

Kibune is a Japanese village located in a wooded valley of Kansai, in the mountains of northern Kyoto, consist of a single main street that runs along a river. Tourists come here every season to feel the serenity of the Kifune sanctuary, enjoy a traditional meal by the water and go to the hot spring baths. Historic cradles of the city, the pavilions of the Kibune-jinja stand proudly vis-a-vis the visitors managed to climb the many stone steps. The temple is dedicated to the divinity of water and rain that protects the crops.

Kifune Jinja Shrine

Address: 180 Kurama-Kibune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 601-1112
Access: 5min walk from Kibune Bus Stop, Kyoto Bus 33 from Kibune-guchi Station, Eizan line
Opening Hours: May-November: Open from 6:00am to 8:00pm / December-April: Open from 6:00am to 6:00pm
Entrance fee: Adult：Free
Home Page: http://www.insidekyoto.com/kifune-jinja-shrine

Why don't you experience Hatsumode in Japan During New Year's 2018?
We hope all of you have a wonderful and Happy New Year! Be sure to read part 2!

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