Universal
Cultural · Religion
今年もよい一年になりますように。 — May this year also be a wonderful year. (Cultural · Religion, Universal, JLPT N4)
You
今年もよい一年になりますように。
ことしもよいいちねんになりますように。
May this year also be a wonderful year.
Romaji: Kotoshi mo yoi ichinen ni narimasu yō ni. / Reply Romaji: Ii ichinen ni naru to ii ne. (companion's gentle response)
Reply
いい一年になるといいね。
いいいちねんになるといいね。
I hope it'll be a wonderful year for both of us.
Gesture & etiquette
Stand before the main shrine hall; toss a coin into the offertory box; bow twice deeply; clap twice with palms aligned; bow once more; then close your eyes briefly and whisper or silently form your wish before stepping away.
This personal prayer (願い事) is whispered silently during hatsumode (初詣), the first shrine visit of the New Year. The '〜ように' ending expresses a heartfelt wish or hope rather than a demand. Common additions: 家族が健康でありますように (may my family be healthy) or 良い出会いがありますように (may I have meaningful encounters).