Now it can be told: VOJ via Tweeting: Have you decided on which Shrine or Temple to visit during New Year Holiday?

12/30/2010

Have you decided on which Shrine or Temple to visit during New Year Holiday?

It is a traditional practice to visit either Shinto Shrine or Buddhist Temple during New Year holiday in Japan. Here is 2010 ranking of Shrines and Temples in terms of the number of people who made their first visits during the first three days of the year.

According to the figures complied by the National Police Agency, 99,390,000 people (a total of visitors to 1,600 shrines and temples during the first three days of this year), an increase of 1.21 million from the last year paid their first visits to Shrines and Temples in Japan this year. It is said that the increase of 1.21 million could be attributable to the on-going economic recession in Japan. Whenever experiencing the economic depression, the people tend to depend upon something spiritual for recovery or improvement.

Ranking
1.   Meiji Shrine in Tokyo-3,190,000
2.   Naritasan Shinshouji Temple in Chiba Pref. -2,980,000
3.   Kawasakidaishi Hiramadera Temple in Kanagawa Pref. -2,960,000
4.   Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto-2,770,000
5.   Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kanagawa Pref.-2,510,000
6.   Sensouji Temple in Tokyo-2,390,000
7.   Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka-2,350,000
7.   Atsuta Jingu Shrine in Nagoya-2,350,000
9.   Oomiyahikawa Jinja Shrine in Saitama Pref.-2,050,000
10. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka Pref.-2,040,000
11 Ikuta Jinja Shrine in Hyogo Pref.-1,550,000
12. Miyajidake Jinja Shrine in Fukuoka Pref.-1,080,000
13 Toyokawa Housenkaku Myougoujin Shrine in Aichi Pref.-1,070,000
14. Yasaka Jinja Shrine in Kyoto-1,050,000

There are many more Shrines and Temples you can visit during New Year's days. While you are in Japan, you may visit one of the temples or shrines nearest to you. Expose yourself to the tradition the Japanese people have practiced for centuries.