Jeepney Press / Mae Grace

AMAZINGgrace! by Mae Grace

The Japanese people have proven time and again how passionate they are about this unique tradition of watching the first sunrise of the new year, also known as ‘hatsuhinode’. Picture this --58,000 people at a beach waiting for the first rays of the sun at the turn of the new year, January 1st, 2023!

The place was at Cape Inubosaki in Choshi City belonging to Chiba Prefecture, believed to be the place where the earliest sun rises are experienced in Japan.

Legend has it that the goddess of the sun herself, Amaterasu, had created this country and when combined with the appearance of Toshigami, a god of good luck who appeared with every rst sunrise of the year, watching hatsuhinode has, undoubtedly, become an indispensable new year’s tradition of praying and hoping for a better year and good luck for the Japanese people.

Why the Land of the Rising Sun? Although Chatham Island in New Zealand has the earliest recorded clock time with almost a four-hour time difference from Japan, it is the country of Japan that receives reflected sunlight earlier, even before light hits New Zealand, owing to Japan’s location as the easternmost than all other mainland Asian countries. Like Japan, let’s be happy being reflected light of the God of light this new year. With hopes and prayers for a peaceful, prosperous, fulfilling, bright and happy new year!!!