Saisaki-mode

Saisaki-mode (幸先詣) 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.

[1] 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 "Saisaki-mairi (幸先参り)".