Japan Incentive Group

It is January 1st, 2026. I love the New Year’s Day celebrations in Japan. We sleep a little late, get up, have a very usual breakfast and wait for the kids to get up. They have their own breakfasts in teenage silence, waiting to awaken from within, and while that is going on I take the dogs out for a walk.

I see one of our neighbors, and he waves and says, “Mark-san! Ohayo gozaimasu! Akemashite Omedetou gozaimasu!” (Hey there Mark! Good Morning! Happy New Year!). I return the greetings in the same way.

Getting back home the kids have better awakened. Some more hot coffee and then Kazuyo and I give the girls “Otoshi-dama” (New Year’s Money). This is the gift that keeps giving. Late they may go and shop, but I know my kids and they will probably save it for another day.

We all get ready through our regular morning routines and then get in the car and drive off to the shrine. We do our “Hatsu-moude” (first visit of the year to the shrine). We get in line from the gate, bow as we enter the grounds, and then eventually get to the front of the shrine.

You put your donation in the wooden box, shake the bells to wake up the gods, stand still, bow twice, stand up, clap twice, and put your hands together for your prayer. Don’t be too chatty with the forces that be. There is a long line behind you. Wish for health and peace and prosperity and hope and joy and fun and long weekends and success in everything else… and safety for all. Bow once more and get on your way.

I love the smells of the shrine. There are Manju-cakes baking, and there is sweet hot sake. A fire burns as well to warm your hands. And people you know from your old neighborhood are there. So you can chat a bit too.

It’s the Year of the Horse, and an auspicious year for us. The year of the horse celebrates freedom, innovation, new challenges and projects, and the venturing out to new horizons.

That’s us. That is this project. That is a perfect fit for our Japan Incentive Group. We are in the sadle here in Japan and ready to ride with you and your people for the best incentive travel adventure yet.

Give us a call or an email and let’s talk about what you and your clients need. This is a year of great discoveries and trail-blazing in Japan. Giddy-up!!!

mark@japanincentivegroup.com