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January 2, 2007
Happy new year 2007
In Japanese traditional habits, from 1st to 3rd January, we go to shrine or some religious palces to pray for the new year. I have already told that Japanese people usually have no specific religion, but this new year's pray it is special and exception to have religious activities. In Christmas we would be a Christian, though... Today I would like to report in my case to go to Senso-ji, Asakusa, for praying for new year's.
Lots of people came to Asakusa, Senso-ji. To pray for the shrine, we made a lines. This picture was taken at 200m behind the Kaminarimon. From Kaminarimon to shrine would be 400m so... 600 meters to bear in the crowded!
20 Minutes passed after making a line, we reached at Kaminarimon. it was 0:30am so that, Kaminarimon is not lighted up. This picture creates an aura of the different atmosphere from one at noon.
10 Minutes passed after reaching Kaminarimon, we came into Nakamise avenue, a old-town atmosphere shopping street. Some shop were open, but you know, too much crowded to buy anything! The sight was people-people-people... We're tired...
But in Nakamise avenue, we can find lots of monument displayed at the street. This monument stands for the Hagoita, a Japanese traditional badminton that I told in previous article. A monument lighted up in the dark sky, so beautiful!
Our line came to Hozomon (gate). We have 200 meters last to reach the shrine! Hozomon is now under repair, it's pity for us not to see the great gate.
Finally, around 1 hour passed from making a line, we reached to Senso-ji shrine. I put 100yen coin into the box for charity, and pray for shrine if my wishes can be true. My wishes; it's a secret.
After praying, you can find lots of food truck. Beer, Yakitori, Motsu-nikomi, Tako-taki, Amazake, Anzu-ame, Hakka-pipe, Tougarashi (chili peppers), Yaki-Toumorokoshi (baked corn), Okonomi-yaki... Everything is 500yen. In their shop behind, there are some tables so that you can eat shop behind.
Say, behind the shop, five-story pagoda lighted up. Beautiful. Sigh of moved, satisfaction. I hope if you became to want to come to Asakusa by reading this topics. Thank you.
