News / News Bulletin

Japan greets New Year with prayers at Meiji Shrine

Sunday, 01 January 2017 11:42 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 01 January 2017 11:42 PM ]

Japanese worshippers throw money to make offerings and pray during a New Year's Day visit to Meiji shrine in Tokyo on January 1, 2017. (AFP)

Large crowds have visited Japan’s most popular shrine to pray for a good year.

In line with a Japanese tradition called Hatsumode, hundreds visited one of Japan’s most famous shrine called Meiji on the year’s first day.

Visitors queued from early morning to toss coins into the fountain facing the shrine and make a wish for the new year.

The Meiji Shrine welcomed the year of the rooster with greeting boards showing paintings of roosters on its main entrance and displaying new amulets.

More people from across the East Asian country are expected to flock to Shinto and Buddhist temples and shrines until January 3rd.

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