Hatsumoude is the first shrine visit of the year in Japan. It is for wishes and luck for the new year, good luck charms are bought, etc. It's crazy. My friends went to Meiji Shrine on the 1st and said it was insanely crowded. I went to Kamakura on the 3rd and visited the Hachimangu Shrine, it was still insanely crowded. Generally the first week of January is when everyone does Hatsumoude so all the major shrines are crowded.
Walking to the shrine
Japanese style Candy Apples
There were lots of stalls set up in front of/on the way to the Shrine
Masks!
The inner part of the shrine
This stump is what remains of a famously old tree that was the symbol of this shrine. During the tsunami it fell over, but there is a new one being planted.
Wishes for the new year
Good luck charms for sale
crowds of people
We went for lunch afterwards with my mom's friend Funaki-san. Funaki-san was a Seigakuin parent (a friend of Alex).
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