HATSUHINODE: THE FIRST SUNRISE OF THE YEAR

Many Japanese go to observatories in high-rise buildings or head to the mountains to see the first sunrise, called hatsuhinode. With their hands folded, they pray with the sun. The first glimpse of the sunrise in Japan can be seen on Minami Torishima island, the easternmost area in the nation, at 5:27 a.m.

hatsuhinode

Inubosaki in Choshi

It is a famous spot for people living in the Kanto area to see the first sunrise of the year. Here, the earliest sunrise in Honshu can be seen at 6:46 a.m.

Transportation: 10-minute walk from Inubo Station on the Choshi-Dentetsu private line.

Chikyu-no-maruku-mieru-oka Tenbokan

The observatory offers a 330-degree view of the sea. The observatory will open at 5:30 a.m. on Jan.1. Residents will take part in a taiko drum performance.