For many athletes in Japan, the sporting year starts long before the first whistle and much as it does for everyone else — with hatsumōde, the custom of visiting a shrine or temple to offer the year’s first prayers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/01/01/athletes-new-year-rituals/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #sports #religion #shinto #buddhism #newyear039s #shrines #temples #hatsumode

Prince Hisahito has visited Ise Shrine, a shinto shrine complex in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture, to report the completion of his coming-of-age ceremony. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/08/japan/prince-hisahito-ise-shrine/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #princehisahito#imperialfamily#iseshrine #shrines #shinto