New Years Eve in Japan

What we had originally thought New Years in Tokyo would be filled with excitement. As it turns out, through our research, we learned that there were no large firework displays, large gatherings, or any huge countdown parties. There are only smaller gatherings at the temples to greet the new year. Many remain at home with their families and do not go out. This is why we decided to spend New Years in Kyoto, where many temples are, rather than Tokyo.



One thing for sure is that there were plenty of lanterns hanging about warmly lighting the chilly night. We chose one of the temples which was located in close proximity to our hotel, and near the shopping district.



An older couple paying a visit to the temple for the last time in 2009.



Dimly lit streets, but not shady, were warm and inviting, and great for an evening stroll through town.



Above the doorways and on the doorsteps were many different kinds of creative bouquets and wreaths to greet the new year. They were made of all sorts of natural materials including bamboo, rice straw, pine branches, and folded paper.


Yasaka Pagoda carefully keeping watch over the sleepy houses and ryokans surrounding it. It was first built in 1191 but was burned and then reconstructed in 1440. Click here for photos of Kyoto in the 1910s.







The temples were much busier than the quiet winding streets. Many people came and went through the giant gates. In the past, it was the custom to come to the shrine and light a straw rope from the lanterns (or try to obtain a few embers) and go home to light the hearth for the first meal of the new year. Many people carried around these ropes which they were handing out freely. I doubt that they were lighting fires at home though.

We watched as sticks with prayers written on them were slowly burned in numerous lanterns.

Vendors were set up around the perimeters and sold everything from herbs to hamburgers.

Miniature candy apples. MMM.

I believe that most of all we enjoyed walking about and looking at cozy houses that evening. The warm lights that night showed off the artistic culture in the streets, revealing the beauty of their simplicity and history.

Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine

Yes, I know you were thinking. The title of this blog is a mouthful, but it had to be titled for what it is. We thoroughly enjoyed Kyoto's preservation of Japanese history. In the three days time that we spent touring Kyoto we were not able to begin to explore the numerous temples and shrines scattered throughout the city.

A few that we were determined to see among the rest were the following two beginning with Kiyomizu Temple which was first built in 798. It was reconstructed in 1633 and then listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.



The main temple was beautifully built on the hillside with massive pillars holding the veranda above.


Throughout the city there were a number of people dressed up in traditional attire.



Many come to the temple to pray quick prayers, toss coins into the offering boxes, and ring large bells.





Many other symbolic practices were being carried out for the sake of the new year, for tradition, and for fun.

One particular sight that was really memorable was the pagoda on the hillside withing the temple complex. It seemed like we had finally arrived in Asia.

The second of our must see shrines was the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Fushimi Inari Shrine is the most famous of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari across Japan. Inari is the god of rice. The shrine includes many historic buildings as well as thousands of red Torii gates or arches lining a 2 hour hike to the top of the mountain.

There were many in traditional costume preparing for the new year celebrations.

We hiked down the gated path for some distance until we had our fill. They continued endlessly, as far as we could tell, just like the guidebook said.

While in Japan, Chelsie read the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. Chels loves to read, and being in the very city in which the story was placed, made it all the more real for her. We later watched the movie and recognized many of the land marks which we had visited. Fushimi Inari was one of them.