Kasama Inari Shrine

Hatsumode, the visit to shrines and temples at the beginning of the year to wish for a peaceful year, is a New Year's tradition essential in Japan. Kasama Inari Shrine attracts over 810,000 visitors from both within and outside Ibaraki in just the first three days of the New Year. The shrine's surrounding areas also become animated with crowds, creating a bright and lively mood for the New Year. At the shrine, you can purchase talismans and New Year's decorations to wish for a successful business and inviting good luck. For an exceptional experience, participate in the Ninen Mairi (two-year worship), in which you pray and pay thanks for the past year near midnight on New Year's Eve, and stay to begin the New Year, followed by another prayer for a good year ahead. All visitors are welcome to participate in the New Year's prayer ritual held every hour from midnight on New Year's Day at the Hall of Worship.

Kasama ware has been produced since the 1770s and is one of Japan's leading traditional craft industries. The iron-rich, viscous and fine-grained clay of the region has helped to make durable pottery ware that has been favored for everyday use. Many aspiring young pottery artists have moved to the town from around the country, and today Kasama has established itself as a pottery town where you can find numerous artistic and unique works as well. Galleries around town such as the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum and the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art bring the town's rich pottery culture close to the everyday lives of the people.