The New Year holiday, or Shōgatsu in Japan, is a time for quiet reflection. The culture surrounding New Year’s is probably vastly different in Japan from what you’re used to. While it is celebrated on December 31rd, like in the West, you won’t find many people heading out for crazy partying. Instead, New Year’s is a family festival where people have time off to go to their hometown, visit their family, and engage in a whole set of traditional customs and rites. While many of Tokyo’s shops will close early, there are still many fun shopping opportunities and in the evening, you’ll want to get ready to greet the new year. We’ve compiled the best spots in Tokyo for experiencing New Year’s customs, saturate your party craving, and get some shopping done!
ZOJO-JI TEMPLE
Zojo-ji is an ancient temple that dates back to 1393, situated right at the foot of the romantic Tokyo Tower. You’re greeted by a giant, vermilion-lacquered gate called “Sangedatsumon.” It has survived the war almost unscathed and still stands as the original gate of the time of construction in the early Edo period. The temple and its ground emit a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, but most Japanese people know it for the mausoleum of the Tokugawa Shoguns.
On December 31 of every year, locals and tourists visit Zojo-ji Temple to do “hatsumode,” the traditional first shrine or temple visit of the year. The grounds start to get crowded at around 10:00 p.m. in the evening and the arrival of the new year is then celebrated by a monk ringing a bell exactly 108 times. According to Buddhist belief, this custom is done to be cleansed of the 108 worldly desires. What may sound rather grim and formal is actually a rather joyous event and the temple is filled with a warm, lively atmosphere.
The lit-up Tokyo Tower in the background only adds to the experience. Along with the countdown for the new year, the number of the year displayed on the famous landmark changes, making for an exciting moment and breathtaking scenery. Japan’s famous coexistence between modern and traditional can nowhere be as vividly felt as at Zojo-ji Temple.
Ad Banner
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire