Festivals & Events
November Festivals & Events
Kifune Shrine・Go-honbi-sai (Fire-Burning Festival)
An ancient Shinto rite involving fire.
December Festivals & Events
January Festivals & Events
Fushimi Inari Taisha (Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The head shrine of all Inari shrines nationwide. One of the most visited New Year's shrine visits in western Japan.
Todaiji (Todaiji Temple)・Joja-no-kane (New Year's Eve Bell) and Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit)
The New Year's Eve bell ringing and the first visit of the year to the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall).
Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
A New Year's visit to a World Heritage site famous for its vermilion-painted shrine buildings and stone lanterns.
Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Known as 'Sumiyossan,' this is one of the most popular New Year visits in the Kansai region, attracting over 2 million people during the three-day period.
Kotohoku-gu (Ise Jingu Naiku)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The center of the Grand Shrine enshrining Amaterasu Omikami. One of the top Hatsumode sites in the country.
Toji (Toji Temple)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
New Year's visit to a World Heritage site famous for Japan's tallest five-story pagoda.
Kitano Tenmangu・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
First shrine visit to the deity of scholarship. Crowded with examinees, with Tenjin calligraphy dedicated during the New Year.
Heian Jingu (Heian Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
A popular New Year's visit in Kyoto, highlighted by the vermilion-painted Daidai-den Hall.
Toyouke Daijingu (Ise Jingu Outer Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The Outer Shrine enshrines the guardian deity of food, clothing, shelter, and industry. Traditional Ise pilgrimages begin here.
Higashi Hongan-ji (East Hongan-ji Temple)・Shuse-e (New Year's Service)
New Year's Buddhist service held at the beginning of the year.
Ikuta Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Hatsumode at Ikuta-san, the chief guardian shrine of Kobe, renowned for its power to bring couples together.
Kifune Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
First shrine visit to the head shrine of water deities, known for prayers for matchmaking and rising luck.
Osaka Tenmangu・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The 'Tenjin-sama of Tenman.' A first shrine visit of the year to the deity of scholarship.
Yamato Kuni Ichinomiya Miwa Myojin Omiwa Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) / Nendo-sai (Circumambulation Festival)
One of the oldest shrines in Japan, with Mount Miwa as its sacred object. A fire festival is held in the pre-dawn hours of New Year's Day.
Kamigamo Jinja (Upper Kamo Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
One of the oldest shrines in Kyoto and a World Heritage site. Diverse New Year rites are held.
Seimei Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
A shrine dedicated to the onmyoji Abe no Seimei, renowned for warding off evil and misfortune.
Kashima Jingu (Kashima Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
Enshrines Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor. One of the most popular New Year visits in the country.
Chion-in・Hatsumode (New Year's First Visit) and Joya no Kane (New Year's Eve Bell)
The head temple of the Jodo sect. Renowned for its 'Joya no Kane', one of the largest bronze bells in Japan.
Nishinomiya Jinja (Nishinomiya Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Ebisu-sama, the head shrine of all Ebisu shrines nationwide.
Ishiyama-temmangu (Ishiyama Hachiman Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First shrine visit of the year)
One of Japan's three great Hachiman shrines located on Mt. Otoko in Kyoto, renowned for its National Treasure shrine buildings.
Kongobu-ji・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect. A World Heritage site and sacred ground of Kobo Daishi.
Izanagi Jingu (Head Shrine of Awaji Province)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Awaji Kuni Ichinomiya, considered the oldest shrine in Japan. A shrine dedicated to the myth of the creation of the land.
Tsubaki-Otaisha (Tsubaki-O Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The head shrine of all Sarutahiko shrines in Japan, enshrining the 'Kami of Guidance'.
Nishi Hongan-ji (Ryogoku-san Hongan-ji)・Hatsumode and Shuuse (New Year's Rite)
The head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha sect and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Shuuse rite is held in the New Year.
Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Mioya Shrine)・Kemari Hajime (First Kemari of the Year)
An elegant New Year event featuring a dedicatory performance of kemari (traditional Japanese ball game) by performers in Heian-period attire.
Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine)・Shirao-uma Shinji (White Horse Rite)
A New Year rite where seeing a white horse is believed to ward off evil spirits.
Toji (Toji Temple)・Gonijitsu Gohou (Rite of the Seventh Day After)
The most important esoteric rite in Shingon Buddhism, praying for national peace and stability.
Nishinomiya Jinja (Nishinomiya Shrine)・Tenka Ebisu (Tenka Ebisu Festival)
Nationally famous for the 'Opening Gate Rite and Selection of the Lucky Man' in the early morning of the 10th.
Nishi Hongan-ji (Ryogoku-san Hongan-ji)・Go-seiki Houonkou (Annual Memorial Lecture for the Founding Patriarch)
The most important annual Buddhist rite held in remembrance of the founding patriarch, Shonin Shonin.
Shitennoji・Doyadoya
A vigorous naked festival where young men in loincloths compete to seize amulets.
Sanjusendō (Hall of Thirty-Three Bays)・Tsukinoya (National Archery Tournament)
A New Year archery tournament where new adults shoot arrows. The colorful formal attire is a highlight.
Sanjusendō (Hall of Thirty-Three Bays)・Yanagi-bashi Blessing (Willow Twig Blessing)
A Buddhist rite praying for health and freedom from illness, especially the cure of headaches, using sacred water. The main hall is open to the public for free.
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.