Saisaki-mode
referred to the practice of visiting shrines and temples earlier than usual for Hatsumōde in 2021 during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This practice aimed to avoid the usual crowds of worshippers and the resultant difficulties in maintaining social distancing. The concept was first proposed by a shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture and subsequently encouraged by the Fukuoka Prefecture Shrine Agency. There is a traditional Japanese custom of exchanging end-of-year greetings, and preparing for the New Year by the end of December with a sentiment of hoping for a "auspicious start" to the year. This concept resonated well with this sentiment and quickly spread nationwide. There are also shrines and temples that refer to this practice as "". Shrines and temples that perform good luck pilgrimages 

 Shrines in Fukuoka Prefecture
 Kanda Shrine (Tokyo Chiyoda, Tokyo)
 Yushima Tenmangū (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bunkyō)
 Jindai-ji (Tokyo, Chofu City)
 Omi Shrine (Shiga Prefecture Ōtsu)
 Kasuga-taisha (Nara Prefecture Nara City)

Footnotes

See also 

 Hatsumōde
 Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion

External links 
 

2020 in Japan
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Buddhist temples
Buddhist holidays
Shinto shrines
Shinto festivals
Shinto and society
Shinto
New Year in Japan