Happy New Year.
I hope this year will be another wonderful one for you.
明けましておめでとうございます。
今年もよろしくお願いします。
This year, I went to a shrine exactly at midnight on January 1st.
Today, I’d like to talk about Hatsumode, an important New Year tradition in Japan.
今年は、1月1日0時ちょうどに神社へお参りに行ってきました。
今日は、日本のお正月の大切な行事である「初詣（はつもうで）」についてお話ししますね。
If you are interested in how Japanese people spend the end of the year, I’ve summarized it in this article.
If you haven’t read it yet, please check it out here.
日本の年末の過ごし方については、こちらの記事にまとめています。
まだ読んでいない方は、ぜひこちらからどうぞ。
What Is Hatsumode?
Hatsumode means the first visit of the year to a shrine or temple.
In Japan, many people visit shrines or temples during the first few days of the New Year to pray for health, safety, happiness, and success in work or studies.
初詣とは、1年のはじまりに、神社やお寺へ初めてお参りに行くことをいいます。
日本では、新しい年の無事や健康、家族の幸せ、仕事や勉強の成功などを願って、
多くの人が元旦から数日の間に初詣に出かけます。
Long Lines at Midnight
I arrived at the shrine exactly at midnight.
There was already a long line. Visiting at this time is very popular, and for many people, it has become a yearly tradition.
私が神社に到着したのは、ちょうど夜中の0時でした。
すると、すでに長い行列ができていました。この時間の参拝は人気で、毎年の習慣にしている人も多いと思います。
This shrine enshrines the zodiac animal of this year, the horse.
That may be one reason why it was especially crowded this year.
この神社は、今年の干支（えと）である「馬」を祀っている神社です。
そのため、今年は特に人気が高いのかもしれませんね。
Food Stalls
There were several food stalls lined up near the shrine.
After praying, many people bought warm food and enjoyed eating it outside.
いくつか屋台が並んでいます。
参拝を終えた人たちは、温かい食べ物などを買って食べていました。
How to Pray at a Shrine
At a shrine, people usually follow these steps.
First, put some money into the offering box in front of the main hall.
Any amount is fine.
If there is a bell, gently shake the rope to ring it.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Bow twice
2. Clap your hands twice
3. Put your hands together and pray
4. Bow once more at the end
If this is hard to imagine, this video may be helpful.
神社では、一般的に次のような手順で参拝します。
まず、本殿の前にある賽銭箱にお賽銭を入れます。金額はいくらでも構いません。
鈴があれば、紐を揺らして音を鳴らします。
1. お辞儀を2回
2. 手を2回たたく
3. 手を合わせて、お祈りをする
4. 最後にお辞儀を1回
What Do People Pray For?
There is no single correct answer for what to pray for.
People pray for things that are important to them, such as health, work, studies, or family.
お祈りの内容に、決まった正解はありません。 健康、仕事、勉強、家族のことなど、
自分にとって大切なことを心の中で祈ります。
There was a sign like this at the shrine.
What kind of happiness do you wish for?
境内にこんな看板がありました。あなたが願う幸せは何ですか。
Nine Kinds of Happiness
1. Victory
The happiness of overcoming challenges
Strength gained by facing and moving beyond difficulties
2. Prosperity
The happiness of financial well-being
A comfortable life enriched by stability
3. Health
The happiness of physical well-being
The strength to live a healthy and balanced life
4. Harmony
The happiness of harmony
Peace that comes from living together in mutual respect
5. Gratitude
The happiness of the spirit
A heart that feels gratitude toward others and the environment
6. Hope
The happiness of hope
A heart that dreams and moves forward with hope
7. Love
The happiness of the heart
Sincere kindness and compassion for one another
8. Growth
The happiness of personal growth
The joy of pursuing one’s aspirations
9. Independence
The happiness of independence
The strength to believe in yourself and move forward
The Japanese New Year is a quiet and meaningful time to reflect and reset for the year ahead.
If you ever visit Japan during the New Year season, I hope you will experience Hatsumode for yourself.
日本のお正月は、静かに1年の始まりを感じ、自分と向き合う大切な時間でもあります。もし日本を訪れる機会があれば、ぜひ初詣を体験してみてくださいね。
