Hatsumoude (初詣) is the first [[shrine]] visit of the [[New Year]] in Japan. People visit a shrine or sometimes temple and [[praying|pray]] for comfort and health in the new year. It is very common to see women in [[kimono]] and quite a few men too. A common custom during hatsumōde is to buy a written oracle called [[omikuji]]. Also, new [[omamori|o-mamori]] (charms or amulets) are bought, and the old ones are returned to the shrine so they can be burned.
初詣