New Year in Japan

Altar decorations for New Year's at Narita Temple

New Years In Japan

I arrived back in Japan for New Year’s Eve. When I left the Narita airport for xmas in Vancouver, the place was decorated for the Xmas theme. When I returned to the airport on December 31, the airport was transformed for the New Year's occasion. It was quite a surprise. I had to take a picture.

My cousin’s wife had prepared a delicious spread of traditional New Year’s food. After feasting, I headed out accompanied by my cousin’s wife, to the famous Narita Temple to hear the chiming of Buddhist bell. Apparently the Narita temple is one of the top three temples in Japan to visit for the New Year.

My cousin warned me that there would be a huge line and he was right. We spent an hour in line and I never actually heard the 108 chimes that rang in the New Year. Still, there was something to be said about being part of the greater whole, as we all inched out way along.

The temple was magnificent, but the crowd was so huge and intense, that we were pushed along and out from the temple grounds and I did not have a chance to take a decent picture. I did pass the bell and it was huge.

I hope that paying our respects at this auspicious moment might bring some good tidings for the New Year.