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Shrines in Tokyo – Hatsumode to Visit for New Years

Ruth Marie Jarman — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 12:00:45 +0000

Celebrating New Year in Japan is all about ‘firsts’. Perhaps the most important ‘first’ is the first trip to shrines in Tokyo, a tradition called hatsumode. While this can be done at any time, usually all over the first three days of the year, the most dramatic time will be at midnight of December 31, when crowds will gather to hear parishioners ring the temple bells and pray.

As well as religious activities, there are many other non-secular events in Tokyo at the turn of the year, and below are Japan Info Swap’s pick of the bunch.

Meiji Jingu Hatsumode

As one of the top three shrines in Japan Meiji is the most popular shrine to visit for Hatsumode, and will attract over 3.1 million people over the first three days of the year. In recent times it has been considered a power spot, from where pilgrims can draw power for the coming year.

As can be expected, with so many visitors, people queue for hours to for their first prayer, though many do not wait to get to the front of the queue, instead tossing their coins far over people’s heads in order to make their ritual donation.

Meiji Jingu Shrine
1-1, Kamizono-cho, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
03-3379-5511
www.meijijingu.or.jp/english
Map

Asakusa Kannon Hatsumode

Asakusa shrine is one of the 840 important shrines in Japan and is another popular hatsumode spot. In previous times the Sensoji temple closed its doors on New Year’s Eve, only opening them at midnight, however as the temple has grown in popularity this practice has been discontinued to protect the thronging crowds. At midnight parishioners ring the joya-no-kane (New Year bells) 108 times and amulets go on sale to promote good luck for the coming year.

From January 1 to 6, a Buddhist ceremony called Shushou-e is held to pray for good luck and happiness in the coming year and to drive out evil spirits.

Asakusa kannon Shrine
2-3-1, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
03-3844-1575
www.asakusajinja.jp /english
Map

To continue reading a full story and learn about Hatsumode in Tokyo, please click Hatsumode in Tokyo -Shrines to Visit for New Years

*This article is brought to you by Mark Guthrie from Japan Info Swap, which is full of timely and useful information in English about Japan for expats by the H&R Group.
Who is the H&R Group?

Image: flicker.com “People making their prayers” by Edmund Yeo (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Image: By Rs1421 (Own Work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Image: By Aimaimyi (Own Work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Beng Teng Spa’s Hot Stone Massage For Better Fortune, Health & Beauty

Ruth Marie Jarman — Mon, 26 May 2014 08:14:23 +0000

Enoshima Island, just outside of Tokyo, is the perfect setting for a day spa. The island is a treasure trove of history and beauty for all visitors and residents and is one of Japan’s ancient healing spots.

At the Beng Teng Spa, inside the Enoshima Island Spa you can try a hot stone massage with stones that have been blessed at the local hilltop Enoshima Shrine. The highest quality of basalt stones originating from the volcanic eruptions of Mt Fuji have been cured and hand-polished for hot stone massage at the Beng Teng Spa. The purified stones (fuku-ishi) retain heat for up to 45 minutes and when taken to the shrine, a prayer was carried out to ask for better fortune, health and beauty for those who receive a hot stone massage using these stones. Each month the stones are placed in the light of the full moon in order to purify and recharge their power.

Treat yourself to the Beng Teng Spa’s special hot stone massage treatment with spiritual powers of the positive and bright fuku-ishi. All the massage therapists are highly skilled and will leave you feeling greatly energized and calm inside and out.

Signature Treatment
60 minutes, ￥10,260
90 minutes, ￥15,228

To make a booking, please phone directly on 0466-29-0690. Access is around 80 minutes from downtown Tokyo and directions to the spa are available here.

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Enoshima Island Day Trip

Ruth Marie Jarman — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 09:16:17 +0000

Japanese and foreigners alike can enjoy the many temples and shrines located all throughout Japan. One shrine or temple can be completely different to the next, often affected greatly by its setting. You will come across very quiet and peaceful temples surrounded by beautiful gardens and then there are the temples and shrines that are reached via a bustling shopping street, lined with all sorts of interesting shops and stalls. David from Deep Japan writes on this topic in his article Not Quiet Temples and Shrines.

Enoshima Island is an easy day trip from Tokyo and has a delightful shopping street, Benzaiten Nakamise leading up to the Enoshima shrine. The shops there sell souvenirs, steamed manju cakes, fresh senbei rice crackers, thin octopus crackers, and local specialties made from dried seafood and seaweed. After strolling through the shops and visiting the shrine, a great way to enjoy your afternoon on Enoshima Island is by visiting the luxurious Enoshima Island Spa.

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