A Japanese New Years!

During our 96 we went to Naritasan Temple on New Year's Day. My husband, a friend and I participated in the Japanese tradition called Hatsumode, which refers to the first shrine or Buddhist temple visit of the year.

It was great partaking in their traditions. First we washed our hands at a statue. It cleanses you so you may enter the temple. Then you climb the stairs to the temple. We paid our respects by tossing a coin into a trough and the bowing.

It is the year of the dragon, many of the charms had dragons on them.
We got our oracle for the new year. If you don't like it you can tie it to a tree or fence and leave it behind. I kept mine, Ben and Bill left theres.

Down the hill we enjoyed some wonderful food. We had some yakitori, fried noodles, and MOCHI! I love MOCHI!

It was really neat seeing how the Japanese enjoy the new year. I am glad we went.