In Taiwan, New Year's Eve is almost synonymous with galas, fireworks, and watching the sunrise. But the most important New Year activity for the Japanese begins late on January 1st and continues until January 3rd. Everyone visits shrines with family, friends, or loved ones to perform hatsumode (New Year shrine visit), praying for good fortune, to ward off misfortune, and to wish for health and peace in the coming year.
The "Fukumusume" (lucky maidens) at Sumiyoshi Shrine give out lucky charms through a lottery. (Photo courtesy / Fukuoka Tourism Bureau)
In the Fukuoka area, the most popular spots for New Year shrine visits are Sumiyoshi Shrine, Kushida Shrine, and Hakozaki Shrine. Each has its own unique features. Sumiyoshi Shrine, located near JR Hakata Station, holds a lottery event hosted by the “Fukumusume,” where lucky visitors can take home a charm. Kushida Shrine, situated in the popular tourist destination of Canal City Hakata, enshrines the deity who presides over business prosperity, thus attracting a continuous stream of worshippers. Here, you can also see the large “decorative floats” used during the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival.
Fukuoka’s Hakozaki Shrine “Ball-Catching Festival.” (Photo courtesy / Fukuoka Tourism Bureau)
Finally, Hakozaki Shrine is famous for enshrining the deity who removes calamities and prays for victory. Fukuoka’s professional baseball and football teams visit here every year for New Year shrine visits, hoping for smooth seasons ahead. Especially exciting is the “Ball-Catching Festival,” which starts at 1 p.m. on January 3rd. The sight of shirtless men competing for the ball brings the New Year festivities to a thrilling climax.
Fukuoka Tourism Promotion Association: http://welcome-fukuoka.or.jp/
Click to view the [Sendai Tanabata Festival] attraction introduction
→ Click here: For more travel news
→ Click here: Return to the attractions homepage
Share
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-1152920
Related Articles
- Shaoxing's "Grandpa Gourd" hangs the gourds back up: "If there are too many people, we'll interact less — just take a quick look from afar"
- Chinese authorities announce "reciprocal adjustment" to Japan visa fees — single-entry visa jumps from 2,250 to 16,750 yen!
- The "health stones" carried by a traveler were found to have radiation levels exceeding safety limits by a thousand times, potentially endangering fellow passengers on the same flight. Customs issues warning!
- Shenzhen Airport Issues Late-Night Notice: Unidentified Aerial Object Detected, Causing Widespread Flight Delays!
- “They only said it cost money after I opened the box and washed it!” 200g of grapes sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train—12306 responds!
- Can't buy an airline ticket? Denied exit? Blocked from boarding? A large number of Chinese tourists have mysteriously become "discredited individuals"
- Adverse weather and economic fluctuations impact Colombia's coffee market
- Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan/30 seconds fee for freshwater foot rinsing: Clearly priced!
- Taking off with an improperly closed cabin door? Wing malfunction? Multiple flights made emergency returns mid-journey!
- Experience the gifts of nature！ A countdown of the world’s ten most stunning coastlines