初詣(はつもうで)

はつもうで
noun, verb (suru)
first shrine visit of the year
1. first shrine/temple visit of the new year
The traditional practice of visiting a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple for the first time in the new year.
初詣(はつもうで)に行(い)く。
To go for the first shrine visit of the year.
初詣(はつもうで)で今年(ことし)の願(ねが)い事(ごと)をした。
I made a wish for this year at the new year shrine visit.
明治神宮(めいじじんぐう)の初詣(はつもうで)は混雑(こんざつ)する。
Meiji Shrine gets crowded during hatsumode.

初詣(はつもうで) is the first shrine or temple visit of the new year, one of Japan's most important New Year traditions.

TIMING:
Most people go between New Year's Eve midnight and January 3rd (三(さん)が日(にち)). The most crowded time is midnight on New Year's Eve.

ACTIVITIES:

  • お参(まい)りする: to pray/pay respects
  • おみくじを引(ひ)く: to draw a fortune slip
  • お守(まも)りを買(か)う: to buy a protective charm
  • 絵馬(えま)を書(か)く: to write wishes on wooden plaques
  • 甘酒(あまざけ)を飲(の)む: to drink sweet sake

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 初詣(はつもうで)に行(い)く: to go for hatsumode
  • 初詣(はつもうで)で願(ねが)い事(ごと)をする: to make a New Year wish

NOTE:
People may visit either Shinto shrines (神社(じんじゃ)) or Buddhist temples (寺(てら)).

general
Added 2026.1.16 17:49 · Revised 2026.1.30 10:58
05500/05804_hatsumoude