New Year is a big event in Japan, so I decided to be cultural and go to Hiroshima's Gokoku-Jinja Shrine next to Hiroshima Castle.
Lining the pathways up to the shrine were many different food and gift stalls...
...from which I bought myself some taiyaki! Mine were filled with red bean or white chocolate yumyum!
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| Helloo! |
The shrine itself was illuminated with many beautiful lanterns! Along the front of the shrine sat the traditional sake barrels.
By 11pm a large crowd, including me, had gathered just outside the front of the shrine waiting eagerly to be let in (and freezing our poor toes off in the mean time). Just before 12, we were slowly allowed closer to the shrine...
...and closer!
When the clock struck midnight everyone ran forward to throw money into the shrine! It was all rather crazy, mainly because I had no idea what was going on ha ha! But it was so much fun, and afterwards you could drink a small cup of sake from the barrels!
I wasn't sure what to say, so I said all I could- 'Oishii!' The ladies laughed so it was a good night!
I'm sorry there weren't many more pictures, but the place became so busy so quickly! Plus it was dark and my fingers were about to freeze off...
It still amazes me that I was able to celebrate new year in Japan, one thing to check off the bucket list!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
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