
Year of the tiger.

So much Japan in this photo...!

Another cute tiger welcoming the New Year and announcing until when this shop will open again.

A lot of red everywhere.

When you actually see people around that time, it's either at shrines or in shops.

Only a few women were wearing kimono this year.

Purification ritual before entering the shrine.

Clear, blue skies, such a typical weather for New Year in our area in Japan!

Omikuji - fortunes written on paper strips, sold at the shrine. You never know what you get and honestly, I will never do that again after a bad experience with these many years ago... not that I say getting a curse omikuji actually will cause having bad luck in your life, but somehow it really doesn't feel good.

Possibly a fan shaped omikuji, but I am not sure.
So much for the first part.
Visiting this matsuri (festival) on the first day of the new year has become a real tradition in our life. And on this blog, too ;)
Back with more!