New Year In Japan What To Do

Pick up an fortune or o mikuji おみくじ to see what the new year has in store for you.

New year in japan what to do. In addition to money it is traditional for japanese people to visit a shrine or a temple during new year s holidays. Legend has it that a long long time ago one new year s eve some foxes dressed up as humans and visited oji inari shrine. Typically you visit the shrine or temple within the first week of the new year and purchase an amulet known as an 0 mamori お守り おまもり.

Some japanese also visit temples. Seeing the first sunrise of the new year is special to most japanese people and why not do it in style by completing a hike overnight. If you are in japan during new year you can join the crowds doing hatsumode the year s first visit to a shrine or temple.

In the mountains and the northern part of japan have numbers of onsen spots where you can enjoy watching snow while bathing. The japanese tradition of visiting shrine or temple for the first time in the new year is called hatsumode. It s a japanese festival all right but it s not exactly a widely known tradition.

Japan and particularly tokyo is a great choice to visit for a new year s trip. Mt takao near tokyo is a popular spot for hikers to see the first sunrise just outside of the capital. The hot onsen bath feels so much better when outside is cold and even better when the bath is outdoor.

While it is celebrated on december 31st unlike in the west you won t find many people heading out for crazy partying. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate with each new year providing a fresh start. Hatsumode festivities are held at practically every shrine and temple across japan during the first few days of the year especially on january 1.

Onsen is one of must do things in japan for every tourist through the year but the best season to enjoy it is winter. Time seems to pass way too quickly sometimes it s already the end of the year again. The oji fox parade access.