Festivals & Events
November Festivals & Events
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Autumn Grand Festival (Chinza Kinen-sai)
An autumn grand festival commemorating the enshrinement of the deities. Dedictory performing arts are offered.
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important festival of the year, held on the birthday of Emperor Meiji.
Haseji (Hase Temple)・Autumn Leaf Light-Up
Special night viewing of the autumn foliage that dyes the shrine grounds in brilliant colors.
December Festivals & Events
Chichibu Jinja (Chichibu Shrine)・Chichibu Yozakura (Annual Grand Festival)
One of Japan's three great festival floats, featuring ornate floats and winter fireworks.
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine・Oyu-sai (Tokaichi) (Grand Hot Spring Festival / Tenth Day Market)
A winter grand festival known as 'Tokaichi' (Tenth Day Market), bustling with stalls selling lucky bear-paw rakes.
Senso-ji Temple・Hagoita-ichi (Nasume no Kannon / New Year's Shuttle Cock Market)
A year-end market adorning Asakusa, featuring stalls selling shuttle cocks (hagoita) in the temple grounds.
January Festivals & Events
Senso-ji Temple・Shuuse-e (New Year's Service) and New Year Grand Prayer Service
New Year rites to ward off misfortune and invite good fortune. The first three days are bustling with millions of first shrine visitors.
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The New Year's first visits, which typically attract the highest number of worshippers in Japan.
Nikko Tosho-gu (Nikko Eastern Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (Saitan-sai)
New Year's first visit to the shrine enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu, a World Heritage site.
Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The chief guardian shrine of Edo. Famous for business prosperity and IT protection, attracting many corporate groups.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Tsurugaoka Hachiman Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The chief guardian shrine of Kamakura, associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo. The three New Year days see one of the highest visitor counts in the country.
Naritasan Shinshoji・Hatsumode (New Year's Grand Goma Fire Rite)
One of the most popular first shrine visits in the country. Approximately 3 million people visit during the three-day New Year period.
Yasukuni Jinja (Yasukuni Shrine)・Hatsumode (New Year Festival)
The New Year Festival is performed at the dawn of New Year's Day, accompanied by the temple bell.
Hie Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year) / Saidansai (New Year's Rite)
The 'Sanno-sama' of Akasaka, revered as the protector of the imperial capital.
Sagamoku Ichinomiya Samukawa Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The only guardian deity in Japan dedicated to averting misfortune from all eight directions. Welcome nebuta (lanterns) greet visitors.
Kawasaki Daishi Hiraidera・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The Daishi of Warding Off Misfortune. Boasts one of the highest numbers of New Year visitors in Japan.
Tokyo Daijingu (Tokyo Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The 'Ise Shrine of Tokyo.' A first visit to a shrine famous for matchmaking.
Katori Jingu (Katori Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The head shrine of all Katori shrines nationwide. A deity of martial luck and victory.
Yushima Tenmangu (Yushima Tenmangu Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The deity of learning, 'Yushima Tenjin'. Bustling with exam candidates praying for success.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine・Hatsuhinode (First Sunrise) and Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Famous for the first sunrise rising behind the 'Kamiiso Torii' in the sea.
Mifune Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
A spiritual site at 1,100 meters elevation, famous for sea of clouds and first light of the new year.
Kameido Tenjinsha・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Known as the 'Eastern Saifu,' this is a deity of learning. The shrine is bustling with prayers for passing exams.
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The chief shrine of Musashi Province. Known for its approximately 2 km long approach path, the longest in Japan.
Nezu Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
A historic Edo-period shrine associated with Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, featuring a main hall designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Chichibu Jinja (Chichibu Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The chief guardian shrine of the Chichibu region, renowned for its exquisite shrine architecture carvings.
Fukutakeyama Shindai-ji・Hatsumode (New Year Grand Goma Fire Rite)
One of the oldest temples in the capital. Welcome the new year with the New Year's Eve bell and the Grand Goma Fire Rite.
Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuuki-ji・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
An ancient temple on Mount Takao, a sacred mountain of Shugendo. Known for Tengu worship.
Okunitama Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The Soshu (chief shrine) of Musashi Province, known as 'Fuchu no Omiya'. A deity of matchmaking and warding off misfortune.
Saihinai Daishi Soji-ji Temple・Hatsumode (First shrine visit of the year)
One of the Three Great Masters of Misfortune Removal in the Kanto region. Famous for prayers to ward off misfortune.
Tsukuba-san Jinja (Tsukuba Mountain Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
A famous shrine in Kanto with Mount Tsukuba as its sacred body. Known for prayers for matchmaking.
Oyama Furu Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
Known as 'Oyama-mairi' (pilgrimage to Mount Oyama), this is the grand protector of the Kanto region. The enshrined deity is a god of rain and water.
Sui Ten Gu (Water Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
Deity of safe childbirth and conception. Famous for safe childbirth prayers on Dog days.
Takaozan Myo-o-in Kongo-ji (Takao Fudo Son)・Hatsumode (First Temple Visit of the Year)
One of the three great Fudo temples in the Kanto region and the memorial temple of Hijikata Toshizo of the Shinsengumi.
Hozan-zan Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
One of the Three Great Shrines of Chichibu, enshrining deities of fire prevention and theft protection. A famous shrine in Nagatoro.
五徳山 水澤寺（水澤観世音）・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The 16th station of the Banto 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. Known as the 'Mizusawa Kannon' of Ikaho.
Kita-in・Sho-Daishi and Daruma Market
The Daruma Market, a New Year specialty of Kawagoe, held on the first lucky day of the year.
Kashima Jingu (Kashima Grand Shrine)・Hakuba-sai (White Horse Festival)
A festival to purify evil influences of the new year by viewing a white horse and praying for health and safety.
We're gradually expanding coverage starting with major shrines and temples. Dates may vary slightly from year to year, so please check official information before visiting.