The first shrine or temple visit of the Japanese New Year is called Hatsumōde.
Hatsumōde literally means the first visit, and it usually takes place during the first days of the new year. Many people visit a Shinto shrine, a Buddhist temple, or both to pray for health, safety, prosperity, and family well-being. Some go immediately after midnight, while others choose a quieter time later in the holiday period.
Visitors may return old protective amulets, buy new omamori charms, draw fortunes called omikuji, and make offerings. Major sites can attract enormous crowds, so railways often run special services and popular shrines establish organized queues.
Hatsumōde differs from Joya no kane, the Buddhist bell-ringing ceremony performed on New Year's Eve. The bell ceremony closes the old year, while Hatsumōde is the first religious visit associated with the new one. Together they form two connected but distinct parts of Japanese New Year observance.