We had a FANTASTIC New Years Day! Our great neighbors Rick and Sayuri invited us to spend the day with them and their kids, Richard and Kayla. New Years is a huge holiday in Japan, and traditionally spent visiting the shrine. The purpose of that visit is to dispose of the previous years "charms" and to purchase new ones and make wishes for the New Year.
Here we are waiting in line...it was a crowded street as we all waited our turn.
After washing our hands, we went up the steps to toss our go-yen into the box, hoping to make it in so our prayers/wishes will come true for the New Year.
It's tradition to take a sip of saki.
Many of the women and girls were dressed in their kimonos. I thought this little girl was adorable and snapped her photo.
Richard, Kayla, Kaity and Drew
Nyle, Sayuri, Rick and I
After visiting the temple, we ate yakiniku, or "grilled meat". In a yakiniku restaurant, plates of all sorts of raw meat are brought to the table, and then cooked on a grill built into the table! We've always loved yakiniku! The kids love cooking their own dinner!
