Family Temple Visit

A family visit to temples during New Year is a beautiful way to embrace the fresh start with tradition and tranquillity. Temples come alive with an air of reverence and quiet celebration as people flock to offer their first prayers of the year, a practice often called hatsumōde in Japan. Families queue patiently to toss a coin, ring the temple bell, and clap their hands in prayer, wishing for health, happiness, and prosperity. Children often tag along in their best traditional attire, adding a splash of colour and joy to the solemn occasion. Many temples offer fortune slips (omikuji) for the curious, and it’s always a bit of fun to see who gets “great luck” and who ends up tying theirs to a nearby tree to leave the bad luck behind. For photographers, it’s a treasure trove: the golden light of early January, intricate temple architecture, and candid moments of family unity. A visit like this isn’t just about religion or culture; it’s about connection, reflection, and stepping into the new year with hearts full of hope.