Today’s New Year’s visit to Ōkunitama Shrine in Fuchū, western Tokyo; 2024.01.05. This is one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines.
1. Food stalls along the approach
2. Waiting to pray at the Main Hall (Haiden)
3. Ema (wooden wishing plaques)
4. Scene around Zuijinmon Gate
iPhone 15 Pro, full-size shots straight out of camera.
#photography #fotografie #shotoniphone #streetphotography #japanesenewyear #shrine #tokyolife #japanlife #prosit2024
Wrapping up my New Year’s coverage with this set from a couple of years ago, taken somewhere along the Seto Inland Sea in Okayama Prefecture, on the first morning of the New Year. The first sunrise of the New Year is called "hatsuhinode”, and if you make a wish whilst watching the sun come up, it is believed that the Gods will grant it for you.
#photography #scenicphotography #landscapephotography #fotografie #japanlife #okayama #japanesenewyear #sunrise #firstsunrise #happynewyear #prosit2024
New Year’s visit to our local temple, 2024.01.01
All photos taken today at Nanzōin Temple (南蔵院) in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. iPhone 15 Pro straight out of camera.
#photography #shotoniphone #japanesenewyear #happynewyear #prosit2024 #fotografie #japanlife #tokyolife
Got myself a seasonal #donut to cheer myself up.
In previous years (we’ve been in Japan nearly 20 years) we’ve gone to the local shrine and temple on New Year’s Day. We got a ‘Hamaya’ and hung it near the entrance of our house.
Last year we didn’t bother, and this year my partner said we’re not giving any money to them anyway (they’re basically a sexist, homophobic, nationalistic religious organization, so, yuck), so I said in the future we can have a mezuzah anyway!
People in Japan like queuing on New Year’s Day.
First sun of the year.
(I don't know when it rose, I don't care, I'm never going to get up that early on New Year's Day)
Happy New Year.
This is actually the more traditional kind. You’ll often see this on more ‘traditional’ Japanese shops. Each part of the decoration has a meaning (which I’ve mostly forgotten… but mostly fertility and longevity).
I think this #rabbit has another day job the rest of the year.
Norbert Woehnl 
sheepchase
Claire Cusack
David in Setouchi
Sheepchase