Kumamoto Prefecture

The turn of the year is holiday time in Japan. People are off work to celebrate the New Year with parties, family gatherings, culinary feasts, and hatsumode. Hatsumode is the year’s first visit to a Shinto shrine (or sometimes a Buddhist temple). It is traditionally made between January 1st and 3rd, when visitors line up to make wishes and leave charms at the shrine. Millions across Japan do this each year. The most popular shrines often see visitors in the thousands. Virtually every city in Japan has some shrines that are perfect for hatsumode. The following are some of the best in Kumamoto. Kato Shrine Located within the grounds of Kumamoto Castle, Kato Shrine honors Kato Kiyomasa – a 16th-century samurai lord and civil engineer who was awarded the castle. First built in 1871 and then rebuilt a number of times after being destroyed, it’s one of the most popular hatsumode shrines in Kumamoto, attracting around 400,000 visitors across the three days. These visitors come to pray at the shrine for good luck, to overcome illnesses, and to pass difficult exams. There is a small stone bridge at the shrine that Kato acquired from Korea. People cross this as part…