What to Wear to Hatsumōde 2027
The first shrine visit of the year, and a queue that runs past midnight
Hatsumōde is the first shrine or temple visit of the new year, and Japan makes it between New Year's Eve and 3 January. You queue outdoors in the first cold week of the year, at Meiji Jingu, Fushimi Inari or Sumiyoshi Taisha, then bow, clap and bow again with empty hands.
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What to wear for hatsumōde at Meiji Jingu 2027: open all night on 31 December, busiest to 3 January, 1°C / 34°F at dawn. A long wool coat, slip-on boots and empty hands.
What to wear for hatsumōde in Kyoto 2027: Fushimi Inari's 233m mountain of torii, open all night, Yasaka's Okera fire from 7:30pm on 31 December, and 2°C / 36°F nights.
What to wear for hatsumōde at Sumiyoshi Taisha 2027: two million visitors in January, an arched bridge at about 48° to cross, and 3°C / 37°F at midnight in the wind.