Spots for a trip during New Year’s Holidays in Yamagata, Fukuoka, Hiroshima

WHG Hotels located in areas convenient for shopping and sightseeing.This time, we’re introducing 3 recommended areas perfect for a trip during New Year’s Holidays among ones around WHG Hotels.

Explore temples and shrines in Yamagata covered with snow

Yamagata located in Tohoku region where a world of white spreads out. On the last day of the year, ‘Omisoka Joyanokane Hikari Road‘ will be held at Tateishi temple which is called Yamadera (Mountain Temple) because it is on the top of the mountain. You can see emotional scenery unique to winter created by gentle light of candles. In addition, at Jionji Temple’s ‘Omisoka Fireworks Display Setsugekka,’ about 600 colorful fireworks will be shot while New Year’s Eve bell will reverberate throughout the place around the temple. Furthermore, there are spots perfect to the first shrine and temple visit of the year because Yamagata has lots of famous ones such as ‘Gokoku Shrine’ featuring a large red torii gate, ‘Kumano Grand Shrine’ with a history of over 1,200 years and ‘Dewasanzan Shrine’ at Mt. Haguro allowing visitors to get energy. Why not pray for New Year’s happiness at historical shrines or temples?

Greet New Year at historical spots with a stunning view in Hiroshima

If you spend New Year’s Eve in Hiroshima, Chugoku region, we recommend you visit ‘Jodoji Temple’ with many national treasures that is said to be built by Shotoku Taishi who was among the most important figures in early Japanese history. You can have a rare experience of ringing New Year’s Eve Bell of the famous temple. In addition, a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and a sparkling night view are laid before your eyes when you look back after going up the stairs. Why not visit Miyajima island recognized as a world heritage site on the New Year’s Day? You can greet New Year with feeling a mythical atmosphere, watching the sun rise from the sea and visiting ‘Itsukushima Shrine’ which looks like floating in the sea.

Fukuoka’s New Year’s Eve events to satisfy your heart and stomach

Speaking of a popular New Year’s Eve event in Fukuoka, Kyushu region, it’s ‘Mojiko Retro Countdown 2019.’ Mojiko is the port town where there are quaint buildings built between the Meiji era and early Showa era, and in winter, adorned with illuminations. When it gets to 11:55PM, ‘Tabidachi no Kane’ reverberates throughout here and lights is turned off. As soon as the whistle of a ship blows, fireworks are fired all at once. Don’t forget to visit ‘Dazaifu Tenmangu,’ one of the most famous shrines in Japan. Opened 24 hours from 1st January to 3rd, this shrine will hold various traditional events. In addition, most of food stalls, lined up in the precinct and along the pathway to the shrine, also open 24 hours, where you can enjoy local foods such as Umegamochi and Hashimaki to your heart’s content.