Hatsumode at Naritasa Temple

The Japanese celebrate each new year by giving their homes a major "spring cleaning." Another custom is to make a special first visit of the year to their local temple/shrine.

In celebration of Hatsumode, vendors set up to sell their wares.
(The temple is at the top of the hill.)

Yep, Empanadas and Churros in Japan!

At the top of the hill...

This altar to the right of the staircase is to the "god" of eye-sight. They use one of the scoops to throw water from the basin onto the statue before saying prayers for self or loved ones having eye problems.

This altar is for the lost unborn children. Here, they use the water from the basin to wash their hands before leaving a gift (on the shelf to the right of the statue) for their loved ones. Since this one is for children, the gifts are toys or kids foods.

These day school little ones were brought to the temple for their first visit of the year.

SO cute!! And it appears they start teaching them the "peace" sign early!!

Then, you also have men in suits making their first visit!

Inside the temple, you may purchase your own "fortune" for the year! 100 Yen is about $1.25 right now.

My "Written Oracle"..... it's basically a variety of fortune cookie fortunes in one... very vague!

Inside their homes, they have a little prayer shrine and purchase these items to place there. I'm not sure what these two mean, though. 

The "Hello Kitty" arrow would be placed in the home shrine as a reminder/prayer to fly "straight as an arrow" through the new year.

Inside the temple...

Monks chanting

This is a Japanese version of a Christmas Tree....
The papers tied on here and the fence (pic below) are the "written oracles" people tied on after saying their prayers.

I must admit it was an interesting experience!!