The shape of it
About
Hatsumōde is the year's first shrine visit, and Meiji Jingū — Tokyo's grand forest shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji — is the single most visited site in Japan for it, drawing around three million people over 1–3 January. Worshippers stream down the gravel approach beneath giant cypress torii to pray, draw fortunes and buy lucky charms.
Highlights
- Japan's busiest hatsumōde — around three million visitors over the first three days of January
- The walk under the towering wooden torii through Meiji Jingū's tranquil forest to the main hall
- First fortunes (omikuji), lucky arrows (hamaya) and charms, with festival food stalls along the approach
Plan it well
- For the calmest visit, go very early on 2 or 3 January rather than midnight on the 1st
- Dress very warmly — you may queue outdoors for 30 minutes or more in the cold
- Enter via the quieter North Gate (Yoyogi/Shinjuku side) instead of the packed Harajuku South Gate
Where it happens
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