New Year at Gokoku Shrine

December 31

From 17:00 Ooharae-shiki (purification ceremony) & Joya-sai (seeing out the old year festival)
From just after 11pm the bell in the main shrine building opens for clanging and the ceremonial sake starts to be served to the first of the over half a million people who will visit over the next few days.

24:00 Shrine maidens dance to welcome the new year.

January 1

10:00 Saitansai is a Shinto ritual to mark the beginning of New Year, followed by a special sharing of sake (rice wine) in the barrel and a mochi (rice cake) pounding ceremony.
10:30 Hounouginei song

January 2

10:00 Futsuka-sai ceremony
10:30 Hounou shakuhachi flute

January 3

10:00 Genshisai ceremony
10:30 Shooting of the first arrow of the year ceremony
11:00 Hounou youkyoku