Nagoshi no Harae – Japan’s Mid-Year Purification Ritual

A moment to reflect, reset, and move forward

🌿 What is Nagoshi no Harae?

In late June, people across Japan visit Shinto shrines for a traditional purification ritual called Nagoshi no Harae (夏越の祓).

It’s a ceremony to wash away the “impurities” of the first half of the year and pray for good health for the remaining six months.

⛩️ You may see a large ring made of grass (茅の輪 / chinowa) at shrines.

Walking through this sacred circle is believed to cleanse the body and

🍵 A Culture of Reset

Japanese culture has long valued seasonal “resets” — not just for the body, but for the mind.

Just as we clear clutter or take digital detoxes today, Nagoshi no Harae encourages inner clarity and a fresh start.

🧘♀️✨ Whether it’s decluttering your home or letting go of emotional stress, this ritual reflects a timeless truth:

“We thrive when we pause to reset.”

🎁 Furoshiki & Wagashi — Modern Connections

🧵 Furoshiki, the art of wrapping with cloth, is a gentle way to handle your belongings and your thoughts.

It symbolizes care, organization, and intention — perfect for this mid-year reflection.

🍡 Seasonal sweets like Minazuki (水無月) — a traditional rice cake with red beans — are eaten during this period to ward off bad luck.

Why not introduce a “purification sweet” into your

🌈 Reflect & Restart

June is the perfect time to ask yourself:

“What do I want to leave behind?”

“What do I want to carry forward?”

Let this gentle ritual inspire your own mid-year reflection.

And maybe — wrap a small gift, sip a cup of tea, or taste a traditional sweet 🍵🍬