My favorite way to observe the new year in Japan is by a midnight visit to a shrine. But this year below freezing temperatures convinced me to stay at home at midnight and make my shrine visits in daylight--temperatures above freezing with a bit of a cold breeze. Consequently I decided to do a seven … Continue reading Starting 2022 with the seven lucky gods of Tokai
This article takes readers on a seven lucky gods pilgrimage through an old, but not well known, corner of Tokyo. Seven lucky gods pilgrimages are mostly done at the New Year, but this one has delights in all seasons. Learn more in this article. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
New Year's Day 2019 in Tokyo dawned clear and relatively warm (high of 11C/52F), perfect weather for getting out for a little excursion in search of some luck for the new year. My favorite such activity is a seven lucky gods pilgrimage. It is said that the seven lucky gods sail into harbor on new … Continue reading The Tamagawa Seven Lucky Gods: a bit of local luck
Traditional New Year's festivities in Japan are special indeed. It's usually a family time, with visits to shrines (often in traditional garb), special symbolic foods and sake toasts, and various other seasonal activities. While we see less and less of the traditions these days, many of them can still be experienced and enjoyed, if you … Continue reading Midnight at Mishima Grand Shrine
This article describes a seven lucky gods pilgrimage, a short walk popular in the New Year's season as a means to secure good fortune for the new year. This walk is in Tsurumi, a northern coastal part of Yokohama city, and includes part of the old Tokaido Road. (Archived article – Originally published by Japan … Continue reading Seeking out seven lucky gods in Tsurumi
This article takes readers on a walk to visit Japan's seven lucky gods at shrines and temples in the Minato neighborhood of Tokyo. Such walks are a popular new year's activity, said to bring luck and fortune to participants. This walk can only be done for that purpose between New Year's Day and Coming of … Continue reading The seven lucky gods of Minato: A different perspective on a well-known Tokyo district
Most people, upon hearing mention of fortune cookies, think of the waffle cookie confection that is usually served with the bill at Chinese restaurants (especially in North America). But we have fortune cookies in Japan, too, and one variety is available only at New Year's. Fortunes at new year's are a popular part of getting … Continue reading Fortune Cookies for the New Year
It is a few seconds past midnight. The temple bell rings once, its low sonorous tone echoing across the heads of the people in the crowd gathered at the foot of the belfry. The priest who had rung the bell steps out of the belfry, bows to the crowd and says "akemashite omedeto gozaimasu" (happy … Continue reading Magic at midnight: Seeing in the new year Japanese style
This article takes readers on a walk to visit Japan's seven lucky gods at shrines and temples in the historic Yanaka neighborhood of Tokyo. Such walks are a popular new year's activity, said to bring luck and fortune to participants. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today.)
This article takes readers on a walk to visit Japan's seven lucky gods at shrines and temples in the Shibamata neighborhood of northeast Tokyo. Such walks are a popular new year's activity, said to bring luck and fortune to participants. In addition, the walk is fun and interesting! (Archived article – Originally published by Japan … Continue reading Shibamata’s seven lucky gods walk
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