To ring in the New Year, I decided to head to the main shrine in Ichinomiya, Masumida Shrine.
On the night, I arrived a little earlier, so I visited a nearby restaurant for some food. Most restaurants and bars are closed around New Year in Japan, as it is a very big holiday. But this restaurant was a western-style restaurant so it was open. I had some delicious steak and some cider, then I went to the temple around 11pm to check out the attractions before the bells. Yes, there are still bells here, though not quite the same as the UK- they ring the massive 'prayer bell' on the shrine grounds 108 times to signify the 108 'sins of man'...at least that's the gist of what I've heard!
There were lots of things to do at the temple; there were stalls with games for kids, like the cork-gun shooting and ring toss. I tried them anyway and got some cheap prizes :) There was a huge bonfire lit, which was much appreciated as it was freezing outside! There were also lots of stalls with food, such as yakisoba (friend noodles) and various meats being grilled. There were bags of candy floss too, and chocolate-dipped bananas with sprinkles! The shrine itself was also offering souvenirs, good-luck charms and fortunes/prayers. I bought a demon-warding arrow and a Year of the Monkey wooden plaque called an 'ema'.
About 10 minutes before midnight, people started gathering in front of a large tarp set up outside the entrance to the temple. There were some coins in the tarp and I wondered what was going on. At 10 seconds to midnight, everyone started counting down- and as the first bell rang everyone in the crowd started throwing coins into the tarp! It was a little shocking haha! I ducked, then took out some change and threw it over as well! Basically, the tarp is a giant 'offertory box' for people to throw their money in to make their first prayers of the New Year. A fun, if a little dangerous tradition! XD
Happy New Year everyone!
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