Hatsumode - the first shrine or temple visit of the year

Here’s wishing you all the joy of the season. Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! Four years ago, we celebrated New Year in Kyoto. It is no surprise that in the land of the rising sun, the start of a new year is a significant event, but don’t expect the massive parties and firework displays so prevalent in other major cities. Instead, there is a more introspective vibe and a homage to tradition, as most people spend the early evening having a family dinner at home, before heading out to join the huge crowds for hatsumode (the first shrine or temple visit of the year) to pray for good fortune and buy lucky charms for the 12 months ahead. In the picture are some young girls dressed in traditional clothing in front of the Yasaka Jinja Shrine, a major Shinto shrine in the historical Gion district of Kyoto – Kyoto, Japan