Every January the Japanese seek blessings from Daikoku deity to start the New Year in a good way. It includes a chilling purification ritual when young men and teenagers pour buckets of icy water on themselves.

Kanda Myosin Shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is a great place to receive blessing and pay tribute to Daikoku. Locals flock here to pray and get some good luck when Daikoku’s lucky mallet is shaken over them.

Another tradition that you can observe is hocho-shiki—a skillful ceremonial slicing of a large carp with knife and chopsticks by a master chef. The trick is to do the cutting without touching the fish. This Japanese tradition exists from the Heian period.