New Year's Day in Japan begins with a New Year's visit to the shrine. We call it "HATSUMOUDE(初詣)".
We visit shrines and pray for happiness for the year.
In my case, the first thing I do is to thank God for a safe and happy last year.
I usually visit a small shrine in my neighborhood with my family, they serve Omiki (a kind of sake that is offered to the gods) on special occasions, such as New Year's Day. I look forward to drinking Omiki every year.
