Hatsumode

Many Japanese visit shrines on New Year's Day. It is called Hatsumode.

On New Year's Day, my friends and I met for the first time in three years. We shared our old memories and caught up on recent news while eating at a restaurant. Then, my friends suggested to visit a shrine because of New Year's Day. I was excited to experience hatsumoude with my friends in ages! :)

 Many food stands were set up in front of the shrine.

This is Chozuya, which is the place to rinse your hands before praying.

People make wishes for the coming year.

Many people also draw sacred lots to learn their fortune for the new year.

After reading your fortune, you can tie it up. Which means you can tie a connection with god.

At the shrine, there were some fortune goods to live happier for the coming year.

These are lucky charms.

Each year reflects the character of a different Chinese zodiac signs. This year's sign is a snake, so there were some snake objects.

This is Komainu, which is stature of a lion like creature at entrance of shrine.

After visiting the first shrine, we went to another shrine because we still had time. :)

 We could also see many food stands all the way down to the shrine. These looks very fun, these foods are usually quite expensive though.

Can you see it? There is a huge white statue on the photo.

In order to go to the main hall, you need to walk up the stairs.

This is the main hall, and people were praying in front of the entrance.

These are novelty for luck.

Some people waive incense onto their body to cleanse themselves, to be more intelligent, to have babies.  

 There were many joss sticks.

Even though Hatsumoude is an annual event for Japanese, it is not for a religious purpose. On New Year's day, people visit shrines to pray for happiness and for a healthy year.






   Today's Vocabulary
・ in ages : 長い間、長期間、久しぶりに
     ex) Yesterday was the first time I have been to the movies in ages. : 昨日、久しぶりに映画を見に行った。
     ex) I haven't seen you in ages. : なんて久しぶりなんでしょう。／ずいぶん長いことお会いしてませんね。
・ food stands : 屋台
・ coming year : 来年、新しい年
・ draw sacred lots : おみくじを引く
・ all the way down to : ずっと向こうの～まで
・ novelty : noun / novelty
・ incense : noun / 香、香料、香の煙、芳香
・ joss stick : 線香