Last year was not the time for big New Year parties and festive gatherings. In Japan, the situation has gotten a little better, at least for now, and you might want to experience “hatsumode“, which is the custom of visiting a shrine to give the first prayer of the New Year). In this article, we introduce three shrines in Tokyo together with three restaurants for you to stop by and get warmed up!
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Kanda Myojin
Kanda Myojin is a shrine with a history of about 1,300 years. While keeping established traditions, the shrine also does collaborations with anime and games. Therefore, the shrine has amulets, votive tablets, and other shrine goods with anime designs! Also, “omamori amulet vending machines” and “Fortune paper omikuji vending machines” are installed in the precincts. Moreover, the shrine regularly holds unique exhibitions and events, successfully combining tradition and innovation.
About hatsumode at Kanda Myojin
Kanda Myojin is open 24 hours a day, so it’s easy to avoid crowds by visiting the shrine at night or early in the morning. Also, many people are expected to make a trip to the shrine between January 1st and 5th. To avoid congestion, you might want to go after that, between January 8th and February 1st of the Lunar New Year.
You can always check the congestion by visiting the shrine’s live camera on their website.
Live camera: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/liveCam/
Let’s warm up with the traditional sweets and hot amazake! “Amanoya”
(0-minute walk from Kanda Shrine)
Opened in 1846, Amanoya is a long-established cafe that offers authentic amazake (= sweet, low-alcohol Japanese drink made from fermented rice) that uses only rice and kōji (= malted rice). No sugar is added!
Attached to their small shop selling amazake and natto, there is a small inviting cafe. It’s the perfect place to warm up while tasting hot amazake. Such a gentle, natural sweetness!
Kanda Myojin
https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp
2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/na71CTu7tMca8uX77
Nearest stations: Ochanomizu Station, Shin-Ochanomizu Station, Suehirocho Station, Akihabara Station
Amanoya
http://www.amanoya.jp
2-18-15 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/tHTfx6gdGuGDG1Js8
Nearest stations: Ochanomizu Station, Shin-Ochanomizu Station, Suehirocho Station, Akihabara Station
* Please check the website for the year-end and New Year holidays.
Tokyo Daijingu (Tokyo Grand Shrine)
Tokyo Daijingu in Iidabashi is also called “O-Ise-sama in Tokyo”. During the Edo period (1603-1868), it was everyone’s dream to go on a pilgrimage to the Grand Shrine of Ise (Ise Jingu Shrine) at least once in their lifetime. But traveling wasn’t as easy then, so this big dream stayed unfulfilled for most. That’s why later, a new (Ise-branched) shrine was built in Tokyo, making it possible to worship the deities from afar without having to travel to Ise. That is Tokyo Daijingu.
Tokyo Daijingu is especially popular with young women because it is said to be beneficial for marriage and love fulfillment.
About the first visit of the year to Tokyo Daijingu
At Tokyo Daijingu visitors are asked to plan their visit sometime in the period between December and February as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is to prevent crowds during the first three days of January. In addition to wearing a face mask and using hand sanitizer, please refrain from talking as much as possible in the precincts.
Hatsumode information: http://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/hatsumoude/index.html
Udon noodles and shaved ice – all at the same place! “Mamechawan”
(5-minute walk from Tokyo Daijingu)
After warming up with warm Sanuki udon, it’s time for cold shaved ice! Their shaved ice menu changes with the seasons featuring shaved ice with delicious fruits, cream cheese, and fresh cream. The fluffy and creamy texture is gorgeous!
Tokyo Daijingu
http://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/index.html
2-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/3UuhNTCHz1j2s8CT6
Nearest station: Iidabashi Station
Mamechawan
https://www.facebook.com/mamechawan/
2-7-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/AtsCPE7obB3n3a7H9
Nearest station: Iidabashi Station
* Please check the website for the year-end and New Year holidays.
Hie-jinja Shrine
Hie-jinja Shrine, which has a history of about 500 years, is said to have benefits for people trying to find love, wishing for a safe delivery, and raising your children healthy. That is also the reason, why this shrine is very popular for holding traditional Shinto weddings.
The monkey statues you can literally find EVERYWHERE are one of the shrine’s key characteristics. In particular, the lovely monkey statue of a mother monkey and her baby to the left of the main hall is said to bring good luck to pregnant women or women who want to have children.
Don’t miss the “senbon torii” which is a hidden spot perfect for beautiful pictures.
About the first visit of the year to Hie-jinja Shrine
Hie Shrine does its best to prepare everything so that it won’t get too crowded. But if possible, avoid visiting the shrine in the period between January 1st and 3rd, and also Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in January, when most people are expected to visit the shrine.
Please note, that the annual Hamaya-Kagura dance (during which decorative arrows – hamaya – supposed to ward off evil, are handed over to visitors by the dancers) is canceled in 2022, too.
Fluffy buns and juicy patties! “THE BURGER SHOP”
(13 minutes walk from Hie Shrine)
This restaurant is famous for the trivia, that former US President Trump was served a hamburger from this restaurant when he came to Japan.
The balance between the patty and the ingredients is exquisite. When you bite into the gravy-soaked bun, the flavorful “umami” ingredients spread in your mouth creating an explosion of wonderfulness.
Hie-jinja Shrine
https://www.hiejinja.net
2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Aa71aZs3UD4pmBFc6
Nearest stations: Akasaka Station, Tameike-sanno Station, Kokkaigijido-mae Station, Akasaka-mitsuke Station, Nagatacho Station
Click here for New Year’s prayers and opening / closing times:
https://www.hiejinja.net/event/hatsumoude.html
THE BURGER SHOP
https://capparkstand.wixsite.com/mysite/kioi
3-28 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo ADMIRAL Kioicho 1F
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/KkrLJBqx7bmMqkEK6
Nearest stations: Kojimachi station, Nagatacho station
* Please check their website for the year-end and New Year holidays.
