Months before New Year's Eve Drew had already scoped out the shrine that he wanted us to visit. It was in Yuki, a town nearby that is known for their silk. I had also been planning for months how I was going to keep warm on this journey, as it is a 45 minute bike ride to Yuki and we would be making the trip twice in the middle of the night. In preparation, I had bought those warming packs that you shake and normally stick in your pockets. I was lucky to find some that are sticky and I was able to put one on my lower back, one on my upper back, and one on each leg. There was then a leftover that I kept in my purse just in case.
We made it to Yuki without any trouble (it was a warmer night than usual) and we were able to hear the bells ringing at a temple and see the festivities at the shrine. I mentioned in another post that people buy a "good luck" wreath/amulet for the New Year. Here is the fire that was set up outside of the shrine for people to bring these items from the past year to burn. After midnight there were stalls where people could by their new one for 2013. I'll admit, I was happy for the warmth.
The shrine looks empty in this picture, but by the time midnight came around there was a long line wrapping around the complex with people waiting to make their first visit.
They were serving a warm rice/mochi type drink at the shrine that helped with the cold. Mochi is rice that has been mashed up a certain way and it is a traditional New Year's food. This drink was somewhat sweet and had little pieces of rice floating in it. Drew really did not enjoy it but I didn't think it was too bad. I've learned that there are actually a few deaths each year from eating mochi because it is very sticky and the elderly have a tendency to choke on it. Crazy stuff!
We hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's celebration back in the States!
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