News On Japan

End-Of-Year Shrine Visits: A New Tradition Before New Year’s

TOKYO, Dec 31 (News On Japan) - End-of-year shrine visits, known as "Nenmatumoude," are a growing tradition observed from mid-December until New Year’s Eve. This practice allows people to express gratitude for the past year and set intentions for the coming one. But what makes these visits particularly appealing?

Natsumi Sunaga, an assistant priest at Hebikubo Shrine, explains: "Mid-December marks the completion of our annual shrine cleaning. You can visit a pristine shrine, and the lack of crowds lets you pray in peace."

Avoiding the New Year’s rush seems to be a significant draw. Even on the day of our visit, several individuals were spotted observing "Nenmatumoude." Additionally, the blessings received during these visits are believed to carry over into the new year.

Nao Takayasu, a weather forecaster, shared another highlight: "This shrine has something unique to boost your luck!"

The shrine is home to a snake representing next year’s Chinese zodiac. Visitors can even touch it under special circumstances. Hebikubo Shrine enshrines both a dragon deity and a white snake deity, symbolizing prosperity and protection.

Source: TBS

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A passenger car was captured speeding across the frame from left to right by a security camera just moments before a fatal crash in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, that claimed the lives of four vocational school students.

A fire broke out on the evening of April 25th on an electronic billboard attached to the Yodobashi Camera commercial complex in front of JR Osaka Station, prompting a large emergency response. No injuries were reported.

Organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS—suspected to be harmful to human health—have been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey.

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Society NEWS

After 77 years, Tokyo is set to return blue skies to Nihonbashi as the city buries its expressways underground and reimagines its historic heart.

The Emperor and Empress attended the Greenery Ceremony, an annual event honoring researchers who have made outstanding contributions in fields such as plant and forest conservation.

Nearly three months after a road collapse in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, authorities are preparing to resume the search for the missing truck driver as early as next week.

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

A woman’s body discovered in a freezer at a residence in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, is now believed to have been concealed there for approximately four and a half years, police announced.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

A man who was charged with committing an act of abuse against his young daughter and distributing a video of the incident through a private social media group admitted to the allegations during his first court appearance.

A monkey walking upright on two legs was spotted in a residential area of Tokyo on April 23rd, drawing attention as it crossed a street in the rain before entering a nearby field and munching on crops.