Hie Shrine Hatsumode

Most hatsumode events – the act of visiting a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple during the new year holidays – attract huge crowds. Hie Shrine, known for its vermillion torii gates reminiscent of Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine, thankfully has a relatively quieter turnout. After saying your first prayers of the new year, check out the ema (wooden signboards) where you write a wish; they're decorated in over one hundred designs.