New Years

Yesterday my friend Aiko drove me into the local shrine in Kutchan to make a new years wish.

Here's Aiko and her dog Pa-ke at the front of the shrine.

Up the stairs:

People walking up to the shrine:

I watched what Aiko did first, then copied. She threw a 10 yen coin into this box thing, then rang a bell. Then clapped her hands twice and bowed, with her hands held in front of her, like she was praying. She made her wish, and then moved on. I did the same thing.

We then went to get our fortunes. There was the option to get an english version, but I went for the Japanese option, thought it would be cooler. Didn't get a chance to translate it yet though.

Aiko then took me to the supermarket to help me figure out what the hell I was buying. She then took me to her house and made me a traditional new years drink, made with the left over rice used to make sake. The drink wasn't alcoholic, and tasted a little bit like sake, but was more sweet. It was pretty good.

New Years Eve itself was nothing big, ended up in Lawsons, a convenience store for the countdown, to buy delicious greasy chicken. Mmmm, Lawsons chicken.