There is also a show called Kouhaku that has been going on for years and years ( I think about 50). It seems that it is all the famous people in Japan, at least pop stars and such, and they all performs songs, and then the audience votes for either the red team or white team (men and women). Although Keiko fell asleep at about 8pm, she woke up at 11:30 to eat soba together. At 12pm, there is a countdown but not fireworks or too much of a big "bang" kind of celebration.
Us on new years
On Jan 1st, we went to the most famous Hiroshima Shinto shrine for hatsu-moude, or first worship. That seems to be the biggest event of New Years. There is TONS of people. At this shrine, an estimated 600,000 people came. It has a bit of a festival feel to it, with all the little food shops around. In fact, our main purpose in going was to eat and just see the whole atmosphere.
The temple where everyone throws some coins, claps there hands, and prays is in the background.
We are digging in to some tako-yaki (octopus balls)
Here are some of the more traditi0nal things that are done at hatsu-moude.
This is called mokuji. You pay about $1 and get your fortune for the year. Keiko got a good fortune and I got a bad. In order to avoid the bad fortune you tie it in a knot on the wall.
This is called a Hamaya. It means an arrow that shoots the devil. It gets rid of the bad fortune for the year. This seemed to be the most popular item.
This is called an ema. It's a wooden plank that you buy and write your hopes and desires for the year. You hang it on the shrine wall. When it happens / comes true, you buy another one to thank the Gods.
These are commonly bought throught the year. They are Japanese looking bags, that are for specific things like for helping to get pregnant, or get good grades, or help at work, etc.
Osechi ryori, this is the traditional new years food. There are tons of different dishes, mostly seafood. I heard they usually ate it for all meals for like the first 4-5 days of the year. Now we had it for lunch on New Years. It takes a lot of time to make, I think.
These are commonly bought throught the year. They are Japanese looking bags, that are for specific things like for helping to get pregnant, or get good grades, or help at work, etc.
Osechi ryori, this is the traditional new years food. There are tons of different dishes, mostly seafood. I heard they usually ate it for all meals for like the first 4-5 days of the year. Now we had it for lunch on New Years. It takes a lot of time to make, I think.
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