Good news to all
January in Japan is a month of renewal. It begins with the New Year rituals, continues in winter quietness, and invites to slow down, observe, feel. It is a more intimate Japan, more spiritual, but also luminous, under the clear winter skies. In this newsletter, we share our inspirations of the month, a special trick temples, and some ideas to start the year well, even at the other end of the world.
Evasions Rebelles in reconnection mode
January is for us a month of listening. After the holidays, we slowly resume the thread of your projects, with many desires of nature, spirituality, peaceful retreats…
This month, several trips around Shikoku, rural Japan and the Japanese Sea are completed. And as always, we accompany you to lay the foundation for your future journey. January is also the right time to imagine the coming year — and why not spend it a little in Japan?
A trip to Japan this year?
Our personalized journeybooks and private accompaniments help you live Japan at your own pace.
Want to talk about it? Contact us for a tailor-made estimate.
Japan in January: Traditions and Clean Air
January is a month apart: both quiet, solemn and welcoming. Here is why you are advised to find out:
- Hatsumōde: the first visits to the shrines to formulate his vows (avoid 1-3 January if possible).
- Atmosphere of purification and renewal in temples, shops, streets.
- Snow in the Japanese Alps, dry and pure air throughout the archipelago.
- Symbolic first sunrises, often seen from the sea or the mountain.
- Seasonal specialties: grilled mochi, ozōni soup, Japanese mandarins, round and powerful teas.
The trick of Evasions Rebelles: the crowdless hatsumōde
Shrines can be crowded in the New Year, but there are ways to live this time differently:
preferred off-peak hours (early morning or evening of 2 January).
Choose less touristic but equally symbolic shrines: Kumano Hongū, Dazaifu, Hiyoshi Taisha…
Combine the visit with a walk in the forest or a meditative break.
Discover the omikuji (year’s prescriptions) and the small items to bring back.
What to do in Japan in January?
It’s a perfect season to explore, slowly and thoroughly:
- Live ahatsuhinode(Sunrise from 1 January) from a top or shore.
- Walk in the snow around Takayama, Matsumoto or Tōno.
- Visit famous temples in peace, such as those of Nikkō or Nara.
- Enjoy ryokan with onsen in the mountains: absolute calm, refined meals, quiet nature.
- Let yourself be inspired by the slow start of the year… To get back in.
And you, ready to make Japan your starting point for 2025?
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Hiroshima, Japan since 2018
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