A Quiet New Year Visit to Samukawa Shrine – with a Cup of Amazake

Note: This post is written in English. It shares a peaceful experience I had during a New Year’s visit to Samukawa Shrine in Kanagawa, Japan. I hope the atmosphere comes through—even if you’ve never been there.

Samukawa Shrine is famous for *Hakkouyoke*—a traditional purification ritual believed to protect people from misfortunes coming from all directions.

I visited the shrine around New Year’s, when many people in Japan go for *hatsumōde*, the first shrine visit of the year.
Despite the crowds, there was a calm, sacred atmosphere. The crisp winter air and the scent of camphor trees made everything feel fresh and quiet.

After offering my prayers, I stopped by a small rest area near the shrine.
There, I bought a cup of *amazake*—a sweet, non-alcoholic rice drink—served warm.
The woman at the counter handed it to me with both hands and a soft smile.

Holding the warm cup in my cold fingers, I sat on a bench and sipped slowly.
The steam curled into the winter air.

People passed by, chatting gently. Children laughed in the distance.
It was a simple moment—but it brought me a quiet sense of peace and renewal.

After years of limited movement and heavy days, being out in the world,
connecting with people, and welcoming the new year in this quiet way…
It meant more to me than I expected.

*Even in winter, life has its gentle warmth.*