Happy New Year!
To start things off, we’re reporting from Nishinomiya on what Hatsumode looked like at Koshien Hachiman Shrine just after midnight.
People are already arriving to make their first shrine visit of the year at Koshien Hachiman Shrine.
There’s already quite a line.
The kadomatsu decorations were up, too.
The exact date of Koshien Hachiman Shrine’s founding is unclear, but it seems to have been established around 450 to 500 years ago.
It was apparently once called Kawaragi Hachiman Shrine.
There are omamori charms.
They have all kinds of them.
These are ofuda talismans. This one is called Jingu Taima, and it is said to carry the power of Amaterasu Omikami, the deity of Ise Jingu.
They were holding a tondo-yaki ritual bonfire.
Crackle, crackle. Why is the sound of a bonfire so soothing?
This nighttime scene makes you want to stay forever.
Have you all been for Hatsumode yet?
If you’re going later, please take care on your way there.
