For many athletes in Japan, the sporting year does not begin with intense training or the sound of a referee’s whistle. Instead, it starts in a calm and reflective way, much like it does for millions of others across the country with hatsumōde, the traditional New Year’s visit to a shrine or temple to offer the year’s first prayers.
This annual ritual acts as a mental warm-up. Before competitions, rankings, and expectations take over, athletes take a moment to seek good fortune, reflect on the past, and prepare their minds for the year ahead. From young rising talents to world-class stars, hatsumōde is a tradition that quietly connects generations of Japanese sport.
In 2024, an Olympic year filled with pressure and promise, many top athletes made time for this custom. Breaker Shigeyuki Nakarai, widely known as B-Boy Shigekix, skateboarder Momiji Nishiya, wrestler Akari Fujinami, and sport climber Tomoa Narasaki were among those who began their year with shrine visits. Some went to famous temples such as Kawasaki Daishi, while others chose small neighborhood shrines, each visit marking a personal and symbolic fresh start.
For Shigekix, who finished fourth in Paris at the first Olympic Games to feature breaking, the ritual holds deep meaning beyond tradition. Speaking to The Japan Times, he explained how hatsumōde helps him slow down in a fast-moving world.
“Life moves so fast that pausing at the start of the year to press my hands together in prayer helps reset my mind and heart,” he said. “It reminds me to treat each new day with care. For me, hatsumōde is an important moment to return to my center and ground myself.”
This sense of grounding is especially important in high-performance sport, where athletes face constant physical and mental demands. Hatsumōde offers a rare pause, a space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with personal goals rather than external pressure.
While training schedules and competition calendars vary, the shared act of beginning the year with prayer highlights a deeper cultural rhythm in Japanese sport. Success is not only about speed, strength, or skill, but also about balance, mindfulness, and respect for tradition.
As another sporting year unfolds, these quiet moments at shrines and temples remind athletes and fans alike that before the chase for medals begins, taking time to center oneself can be just as important as any physical preparation.
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