For Japanese people, visiting shrines and temples is an indispensable ritual to welcome the New Year. During the first three days of the New Year, millions of people across the country flock to shrines and temples to pray for peace. Every year, the number of people visiting Meiji Shrine alone from the time of the New Year to January 3 is about 3.1 million.
However, this year, the shrine will be closed for the first time since the end of World War II during the New Year celebrations. According to a Meiji Shrine spokesman, the shrine was forced to close to limit crowds.
The move comes as Japan is dealing with a third wave of Covid-19 infections, with the number of new infections hitting an all-time high in recent weeks. Meanwhile, many Japanese religious establishments are also asking people to make reservations in advance for the New Year.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has also asked people to stay home for the New Year and all railway and subway lines will be closed on New Year's Eve to limit crowds.
