First Sunrise - New Year's Day Sunrise (Hiwada-yama, Saitama, Japan)

Shogatsu is the most important day of the year for most Japanese. People participant in various types of events and activities, and pray for good luck during the upcoming year.

According to the ancient Japanese religion of Shinto, the sun is the most important god in the univers. From this was born the belief that praying to the morning sun on January 1 will bring good fortune and happiness throughout the new year.