Here’s our report on the New Year’s Day hatsumode visit on January 1. For anyone planning to go from tomorrow onward, we’ll show you what it was like through photos.
Nishinomiya Shrine
Nishinomiya Shrine was visited by Nishitsu reader Miku. Here’s what it looked like late at night, just after the New Year began.
The Akamon Gate. Such a huge crowd.
Of course, there was a line at the main shrine building too.
西宮神社に参った人〜
Around 12 noon
Salad Udon, a Nishitsu supporter, went to the site.
This is the Matsukiyo that opened last year in front of the station.
By Daiei. People are sitting down.
Chuo Shotengai shopping street. So many people.
Looking back, it’s like this.
Heading from Chuo Shotengai to Ebessan-suji.
We’re out on Ebessan-suji. The crowd waiting at the traffic light is incredible.
This is facing south. A long, long line.
There are lots of people in the direction of Inuzuka Photo Studio too.
It looks like you pass in front of Hirune and cross the traffic light.
For some reason, there’s a Christmas tree at Hirune!
Along National Route 43.
Heading north again toward the Akamon Gate.
We made it.
So many food stalls. And so many people.
As always, it looks tricky to even tell where the lines for the stalls begin.
There’s goldfish scooping over there. Looks like you could stop by on the way back.
The direction toward the South Gate is one of the exit routes.
Go straight ahead and you’ll reach the main shrine building. The Ebisu toothbrush always catches my eye.
エビスハブラシのこと知ってます〜？
On the left, the sacred horse, Shinme, is enshrined.
Daifuku Hatsumode runs until the end of February, so there’s no need to rush. Sanpoya’s baby castella is here.
Almost at the main shrine building.
The purification basin.
This is the omikuji fortune area. Flow-wise, it might be better to visit the shrine first.
This is the tree at the final judging point for the Fukuotoko race.
Sitting right in the middle is the famous Sakasamatsu, the “upside-down pine.” It’s the one meant to keep the branches from poking Ebessan when he rides by on his horse.
Old amulets from last year and the like go here. It feels warm.
Apparently, it took about 30 minutes to reach the main shrine building from the station! Surprisingly quick.
The Kotodama Mikuji is actually fairly new, and it speaks in a voice actor’s voice. For details, see Maki’s article on Yahoo.
There are mitarashi dango and mochi.
