Meiji Jingu Hatsumode (New Year Shrine Visit) 2027 Confirmed
明治神宮 初詣 — Tokyo (Kanto)
Last updated: Sat, September 26, 2026
✓ No booking needed
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- Dates
- Fri, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 3, 2027
- Venue
- Meiji Jingu, Harajuku (明治神宮)
- Tickets
- Free to visit.
- Official site
- www.meijijingu.or.jp
Meiji Jingu, the forested shrine next to Harajuku, is one of the busiest places in Japan for hatsumode — the first shrine visit of the year. Crowds queue along the approach through the forest to pray, buy the year's first charms and draw omikuji fortunes, and the shrine holds its Saitansai New Year ceremony early on the morning of January 1.
Background
Meiji Jingu enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and was founded on November 1, 1920. Its forest was planted with trees donated from across Japan. Entry to the grounds is free all year.
Getting there
Next to Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) and Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines). The north entrance is near Yoyogi Station.
Tips
- Normally the shrine opens at sunrise and closes at sunset (January: 6:40 AM – 4:20 PM; December: 6:40 AM – 4:00 PM). New Year's Eve and New Year hours are different and are announced by the shrine in December.
- January 1–3 are by far the busiest days, with crowds controlled along the approach. Visiting from about January 4 still counts as hatsumode and is much calmer.
- Some buildings and counters inside the grounds keep shorter hours than the gates, mostly 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Maintained by Tetsu Yamamoto · Last verified against the official source: Sat, September 26, 2026