2015 is rolling and everyone is probably recovering from the New Year’s festivities….I know I certainly am. If you ever find yourself in Shibuya on New Year’s Eve definitely hit up the British pub, “HUB.” You will not be disappointed.
Anyways, New Year’s is arguably the most important holiday time in Japan, as it represents the ending of one year and the beginning of a new year and new beginnings. During this time, Japanese families tend to return home to their families and spend the time together. However, western-style New Years parties and other shenanigans are gaining a lot of traction in Japan and every year more people rage on till the early hours of the morning or until the first trains can take them home :).
While these parties certainly occur, the most common activity of New Years night is waiting until midnight and visiting a shrine for the first shrine visit of the year! This is called Hatsumode and I was lucky enough to visit Tokyo’s historic Meiji Shrine for my very first Hatsumode!
First off, Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine) is amazing. Its in a central forest between the Tokyo inner city districts of Shinjuu and Harujukuu but remains completely isolated due to the dense foliage. We basically came in the back entrance to the forest…and got a little lost.
After walking through the forest and following the decorations (we had no idea where to go) we ended up at the temple entrance. There were hundreds of people!
We were there a little early and had just left that British pub, so we were pretty content to people watch and walk around for a bit. The only problem was…we were packed tight like sardines.
Not wanting to wait around for much longer, we ended up walking out into the park outskirts, getting some yakisoba and finally finding some random underground Italian restaurant to spend the rest of the night until midnight. My god it was great. The restaurant was deserted save for some regulars who were happy to bring us Japanese New Year’s soba (a cultural tradition) and explain the tv show they were all watching (a New Years tradition, as well). I swear it was like being one of those extras you see in Friends who are just sipping their coffee behind the gang.
The next day Lexi and I returned to Meiji Shrine and participated in the full blown Hatsumode experience. There were even more people in the morning than at midnight; hundreds and hundreds of people were lined up and quartered into blocks.
Each group was allowed to enter the temple about five minutes after the previous group until they were stopped right inside the main courtyard for another 5 minutes until the next portion of the temple opened up. It was incredibly organized.
Once you get to the back of the courtyard you gather together to throw loose change in a central area. After throwing your change you offer a prayer in the hopes that its answered for the oncoming year.
Afterwards, you head out to the right side of the shrine and walk through row upon row of stalls selling all kinds of charms and New Year’s fortunes.
This year is the year of the Sheep so Lexi and I bought a New Year’s arrow and a sheep plaque!
This is also where you can buy plaques to write messages and prayers on for the shrine attendants to manage later. 
After walking out of the temple grounds and back through the forest we finally found the food stands. My god they were everywhere selling everything you could ever want. Yakisoba, meatballs, Japanese noodels, Turkish kebab, crepes, and even seafood stews!
Oh and of course there were sake and beer stands everywhere, as well.
Later, Lexi and I visited the Senso-ji Temple in another part of Tokyo and I finally got a fortune that had English on it…it was horrible. Basically, throughout this year my marriage would be in jeopardy, my job would be filled with conflict, and I would be struck with financial problems.
Naturally, i decided to tie that baby up to get rid of the bad fortune. Thank god whoever invented this 100yen fortune thing also made a get out of jail free option!
Regardless of the bad fortune, I felt truly blessed to experience this tradition in Japan and with so many helpful strangers. If you ever find yourself wanting to come to Japan I definitely recommend New Year’s, you will NOT be disappointed!
barefootglobal 
Great photos! Looks like a great experience!
LikeLike
Thanks. It was definitely an experience. Hopefully that fortune doesn’t come true 😛
LikeLike
Don’t give it another thought. The more you worry over it, the more power you give to it. Think positive thoughts! Your marriage will be strong even if you face difficult times that is what will make it stronger, not just the happy times.As for your job, sometimes conflict means a change is needed at least in my case it was which goes hand in hand with the financial problems. We all go through struggles and sometimes all at once, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing though, it’s only bad when we power those thoughts!
LikeLike
Very true. Positivity definitely dictates a lot in ones life. And like you said, some things are only negative because we view them as such
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard not to! I’m getting better at it. I have to remind myself when I’m having a bad day that it’s just a bad day, it’s not punishment. Later I’ll probably think it was a good thing and be thankful for it!
LikeLike
I really love your blog so I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award:
https://thelovingllama.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/versatile-blogger-award/
LikeLike
Oh wow. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it! Haha, what an awesome thing to wake up to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome! I enjoy reading about your travels!
LikeLike