Yappy New Year for Japan's worshipping pets

Local priest Masaki Kaji revealed that he hit upon the idea of offering the Shinto rituals due to high demand from animal lovers. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Pet owners have been flocking to the Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu shrine since it introduced New Year ceremonies for dogs and cats in 2000 — and numbers have gone through the woof in recent years.
  • Local priest Masaki Kaji revealed that he hit upon the idea of offering the Shinto rituals due to high demand from animal lovers.

TOKYO,

Some might describe the idea as barking mad but a shrine in Tokyo is offering blessings to pets to protect the fluffy creatures from a 'ruff' year ahead.

Pet owners have been flocking to the Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu shrine since it introduced New Year ceremonies for dogs and cats in 2000 — and numbers have gone through the woof in recent years.

In this photo taken on January 16, 2017, by AFPBB News dogs wearing traditional Japanese kinmonos sit next to a sacred straw ring during a blessing ceremony at Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine in Tokyo. PHOTO | AFP

"Well, they're part of the family," 43-year-old Yuki Mitsui told AFP, hugging two miniature dachshunds that were proudly sporting tiny fur-trimmed kimonos.

News pet dogs, wearing traditional Japanese Kimonos, look on during a pet blessing ceremony at Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine in Tokyo. PHOTO | AFP

"It gives me peace of mind that these little fellas can also receive an amulet that will protect them for the year."

Visits are by appointment only. Over 500 visitors yearly bring pets dressed in brightly coloured finery to the shrine, where they make an offering to the gods in return for a blessing.

In this photo taken on January 16, 2017, by AFPBB News a Shinto priest blesses a pet dog, wearing a traditional Japanese Kimono, during a ceremony at Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu shrine in Tokyo. PHOTO | AFP

Local priest Masaki Kaji revealed that he hit upon the idea of offering the Shinto rituals due to high demand from animal lovers.

People attend a pet blessing ceremony at Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine in Tokyo. PHOTO | AFP

"Many people told me they wanted to be blessed along with their pets," he said as a steady stream of excited poodles, terriers and chihuahuas trotted past. "So we decided to make this the best place for pets to worship.

People pray as they hold their dogs during a pet blessing ceremony at Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine in Tokyo. PHOTO | AFP

"This is the time of year when we have most visitors to the shrine and those numbers keep rising every year," Kaji added. "It goes to show that pets are becoming more important to families."