Happy New Year everybody!!!!
We have entered the year of the rabbit here in Japan, and lots of people are feeling pretty good about putting an end to 2010, and welcoming in a new and better year. Just the name “The Year of the Rabbit” has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?
As for new years resolutions, same as always….. will get round to them when I get time!!
We went back to Mami’s parent’s house for new year, and enjoyed eating and drinking with the family. Hana had a great time playing with her cousin Haruna, they are like twins!!
On the way back we stopped in at the temple in Narita to say our new year prayers, and to ask for health and prosperity for the new year. There were literally thousands of people there, as Narita temple is one of the most famous temples in the kanto area.
When we saw the lines of people waiting to get into the main shrine, we decided to say our prayers at a smaller shrine within the grounds nearby. Look at the picture below to see what I mean…………………
Then we joined the lines to waft smoke from the special incense burners over ourselves to ask for good health and to protect our bodies for the year to come.
On the way back to the car we walked past lots of stalls, and Hana saw a shop selling masks and wouldn’t let me walk past without getting her one!!
I said she could choose one, and I thought she would go for an Anpanman mask, but she got a different one……………
She thought she was so cool sitting in the restaurant with this mask on!!!!
Then she decided that Daddy wearing the mask would be even funnier!!!
Anyway, I hope you all have a great 2011!!
All the best,
Eddie