TOKYO >> A gathering for a karuta card-matching game traditionally played during the new year was held at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto’s Higashiyama ward, the first such event in the three years since ...

New Year’s Devotions at Popular Kyoto Shrines Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, in Fushimi-ku, sees the largest crowds in Kyoto for the first devotions of the year, known as hatsumōde .

KYOTO--A New Year’s ceremonial event highlighted by a card-snatching game was held for the first time in three years at Yasakajinja shrine here on Jan. 3.

KYOTO -- People dressed in colorful historical robes demonstrated a game of ancient "kemari" football during an annual New Year event held at Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine on Jan. 4. The event is ...

People wishing to make a fresh start on New Year's flocked to major shrines and temples across the archipelago Friday morning in the annual ritual known as hatsumode (first visit of the year).

It is said to date back to the year 794. In this video shot by Jacob Laukaitis, he takes you on a little tour of the shrine and gives you some interesting facts about its history and architecture ...