Meiji Shrine Hatsumode 2027: Best Time to Go & Which Gate to Use

Meiji Shrine draws more than 3 million worshippers in the first three days of January — Japan's biggest Hatsumode by a wide margin. The queue can run five hours if you walk up at the wrong time. It can take fifteen minutes if you walk up at the right one.

Quick facts: Meiji Shrine Hatsumode 2027

When to arrive (and when NOT to)

Peak flow is January 1 between 00:00-02:00 and 10:00-14:00. The midnight bell draw peaks at the first-pray moment; the daytime peak is families and tour^PRists. If you want the ritual experience without a five-hour wait, aim for January 2 or 3 at exactly 06:40 (first opening) or after 15:30 when morning crowds have dispersed and dusk queues have not formed.

January 4 onwards still counts as auspicious and the queue drops to 10-20 minutes. Hatsumode is traditionally the first three days, but shrines accept visits throughout the first week of January.

Which gate is fastest?

• ●South Gate (Minami-mon, from Harajuku Station) — The classic entry; wide, flat, closest torii from JR Harajuku's Omotesando exit. Peak-time queue starts here.
• ●North Gate (Kita-mon, from Yoyogi Station) — Quieter approach through Yoyogi Park; add 10 min walk but save up to an hour in queue on Jan 2-3.
• ●West Gate (Nishi-mon, from Sangubashi on the Odakyu Line) — The locals' secret; longest approach but almost no tour^PR groups.
• ●Omotesando side approach — Shortest from the subway but merges into the South Gate flow before the honden.

What happens at the shrine

At the honden you toss a coin (¥5 is traditional — the pun 'go-en' means 'honorable connection'), bow twice, clap twice, pray silently, bow once. Afterwards most people buy a hamaya (lucky arrow), draw omikuji, and visit the ema wall to write a wish for 2027. Food stalls line the paths from early afternoon on all three days.

Why not combine with a tour?

A short guided New Year walk takes you through Meiji Shrine, past the Kagamibiraki sake barrel ceremony, through Takeshita Street for new-year treats, and into Yoyogi Park. For most first-time visitors this is more rewarding than DIY because the guide explains the specific prayer sequence most tour^PRists get wrong.

• ●Hatsumode half-day tour^PR — Meiji Shrine + Harajuku + Shibuya; ~¥7,000, 3 hours
• ●Private New Year experience^PR — Includes kimono rental and tea ceremony; ~¥20,000
• ●English-guided shrine walk — Pure cultural focus, no shopping; ~¥5,500

Food and limited items you can only get at Hatsumode

• ●Amazake — Hot sweet sake (non-alcoholic), served free or ¥200 at warming stations
• ●Hamaya — The lucky arrow, ¥1,000-2,500; take it home for the year
• ●Daruma — Red paper doll; paint one eye at buying, the other when a wish comes true
• ●Omikuji — Fortune slip, ¥100-500; tie bad fortunes to the designated rack
• ●Kagami mochi — Stacked rice-cake offering set, sold at the market stalls
• ●Yakitori and taiyaki stalls — Food street fully active 10:00-21:00 all three days

FAQ

• ●What is Hatsumode? The first shrine or temple visit of the new year, usually within the first three days of January.
• ●Is Meiji Shrine open on New Year's Eve? Yes — it opens continuously from the morning of December 31 through January 1 night.
• ●Entry fee for Hatsumode? Free, though donation when praying is traditional (¥5 or ¥50 coins).
• ●Which gate has the shortest queue? North Gate from Yoyogi Station on Jan 2-3 before 08:00.
• ●Can I wear a kimono? Yes — many visitors do. Shrine staff appreciate the gesture.
• ●Is there a dress code? Just avoid very casual or revealing clothing; otherwise anything goes.
• ●Can I take photos inside the honden? From outside only; the inner sanctuary is off-limits to cameras.
• ●Is Meiji Shrine open on Jan 4? Yes — hours return to normal (06:40-18:30 roughly) but queues drop drastically.
• ●Where can I buy ema? At the small booths just before the honden; ¥500-1,000.
• ●Can non-Japanese pray? Absolutely — the shrine welcomes all visitors.
• ●Combine with Shibuya countdown? Yes — walk from Shibuya to Meiji Shrine takes 20 min; the shrine opens through the night.
• ●What time is the first morning prayer? Around 06:40 on Jan 2-3.
• ●Is the Kagamibiraki ceremony open to the public? Yes, visible from the courtyard around Jan 11.
• ●How crowded is Jan 1 morning? Expect 2-5 hour queues 00:00-14:00; much better after 15:30.