Hatsumoude

cleanse your hands and mouth with water in a chozubachi at Temizuya	a long line of worshipers

The literal meaning of HATSUMOUDE is year's first visit
to a shrine or a temple.
During the first three days of the New Year, including New Year's Eve,
many people visit Ujigamisama (a god) in a nearby or
noted Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple
to pray for their family members' well-being, happiness,
good health, prosperous bussiness, etc.

special purification by a miko or a maiden	buy good luck charms

But actually most Japanese are not so religious,
and go there for fun or out of tradition.
In the Nagoya area, Atsuta Jingu (Atsuta Shrine) is the most popular shrine to visit.
The sound when you step on tamajari, gravel,
on the approach to a shrine is nice as well.
Some people wear beautiful traditional kimonos
and buy omikuji (fortunes), omamori (talismans) or
good luck charms