2026/01/10

Japanese New Year Experience in Asakusa! SAKURA HOSTEL ASAKUSA

How did you spend the New Year?
We’d like to introduce some moments and stories from our guests who stayed at Sakura Hostel Asakusa.

What is ”Kagami-biraki”？

This tradition symbolizes “opening one’s luck,” harmony, and sharing happiness. It originates from Shinto rituals, and formally, the lid is said to be “opened” rather than “broken.” The customary chant when doing so is “Yoisho!” once or three times.

This charming gentleman from France, Herve san, experienced Kagami-biraki for the first time!

At first, Herve san didn’t know where to start and looked a bit unsure about what to do.

After our staff demonstrated, he seemed to understand right away, and this was his reaction.

He’s really adorable, isn’t he?

Does personality come through in something like this?

He is tapping too gently, so it’s not opening easily… “Stronger!”

OK! Success! He finally opened it, marking the beginning of a joyful 2026 for Herve san.

It’s a very lovely bow !!! Thank you so much !!

Congratulations, Herve san! Wishing you a happy and wonderful year ahead.

A New Year’s stroll at the shrine.

In Japan, people visit shrines for Hatsumōde at the start of the year. This tradition is meant to thank the gods for the past year, pray for health, safety, and a good harvest, and welcome the Toshigami-sama (Year God) to begin the new year with gratitude and wishes for the months ahead.

This time, we joined Zack san from the U.S. and Isabelle from the Guadeloupe san for the stroll in Asakusa.

We wanted to go to Senso-ji for Hatsumode, but it was crazy crowded. We couldn’t even get inside the temple. From Nakamise Street all the way to the Kaminarimon gate —it was just people, people, people.

Zack san laughed and said, “Lining up is Japan’s national sport,” because everywhere you look, there’s always a line. We definitely don’t have that kind of patience. Still, even in busy places like tourist spots or trains, Japanese people line up properly, so things don’t get chaotic. “It’s actually us foreigners who mess that up,” he said.

After that, I took them to a small shrine（Hikan Inari Shrine） that only locals know. I showed them how to pray the Japanese way, and they both looked like they were having a great time.

First, a proper prayer to the gods.

Zack san prayed to the gods that Takaichi-san, The Japanese prime minister, would help him to get a permanent visa.

Zack san is taking praying to a whole new level… asking even the Prime Minister for help! (lol)

Let’s test our luck with omikuji!

Omikuji are fortune slips you draw at Japanese shrines and temples.

After praying, you shake a box and draw a stick or paper.
The number or message on it tells your fortune for the year ahead.
It includes advice about things like health, work, love, study, and travel.

The results usually range from very good luck to bad luck, though the order can vary by shrine or temple.

Hmm, I wonder what will happen… Will the New Year’s gods smile upon the two of them!?

“…Kyō.”
“Wait, I got kyō too!?”
“No way! Both of you!?”

We’d heard that Senso-ji has a lot of kyō fortunes, but a double kyō—what are the odds?

At this point, neither of them actually knew what it meant.
They just smiled at the camera and held up their omikuji, thinking, “Wow, something big came out!”

Then a staff member quietly explained the truth.
“That’s kyō, you know.”
“Kyō…?”
“The lowest one.”

A brief pause and a moment of confusion followed.
Once they understood, their expressions mixed surprise and laughter.

In the end, they tied their kyō fortunes to the rack and left their bad luck behind.

“Don’t worry, you two! It’s just an omikuji… And there’s a rumor that Senso-ji tends to give out a lot of ‘kyō’ fortunes. But that’s just a rumor…”

The Ultimate Viewpoint in Asakusa

The final stop of our New Year tour was the observation deck at the Asakusa Tourist Center.
From the yellow tower of Hanayashiki, you can see the entire route we walked—from Senso-ji Temple to Nakamise Street and the Kaminarimon gate.

To the right, the Asahi Beer building and Tokyo Skytree come into view, and the cityscape bathed in the golden sunset is truly a sight of good fortune. Both of them were deeply impressed.

“Bad luck omikuji aside, they ended up smiling like this—so happy they had a great time!”

“A quick look at the fun we had this New Year at Sakura Hostel Asakusa—hope to see you here soon!”