The skies over Tokyo were extremely clear on new year’s eve. Every single star was there in plain sight, waiting to welcome the new year. Can you see the stars in that photo? And no, that photo above is not a HDR picture.
I was doing what I always do this time of the year. Watch Kohaku Uta Gassen and rushing off to the local shrine for 初詣 (hatsumoude) 20 minutes just before midnight. Hatsumoude is a very important event in Japan. It marks the first visit to the Shinto shrine at the beginning of the year.
Did you know there was a blue moon on new year’s eve? It’s called a blue moon because it’s the second full moon in the same month. A rather rare event. Now you know the story behind the phrase “once in a blue moon”.
Can you see the rabbit in the moon?
I wasn’t the only one making my way to the shrine. Other locals were also making their way there to get out of the cold.
There’s a nice camp fire waiting at the shrine.
It was really warm!
When I got there, it was still pretty quiet. There were some kids playing by the fire.
Free sweet potatoes on the grill.
When the clock struck 0000, everyone wished everyone a very happy new year and we all got in line to say our prayers for the new year at the shrine.
You have any wishes for this new year?
My wish for you, my reader, is the wish of good health.
Stay healthy and continue reading what little I will write in 2010. ^^.
Although it’s a local shrine, I keep telling everyone that it’s as huge as Meiji Jingu. ^^.
Everyone gets a free cup of amazake. Sweet Japanese sake helps warm you up from within.
You can tell how warm the fire was just by the average distance everyone was standing away from her.
A cool old dude.
Don’t remember what I was doing waving my arms. Probably something along the lines of
“Hurry hurry! My back is on fire!”
hmmm… are my eyebrows getting bushier by the year?
The people at the shrine were very nice. There were free popcorn for the kids. You like pop corn? I only like those black pepper flavored ones which I’ve only been able to find at Disney Land.
People kept coming as I was leaving. I hope they had enough amazake to warm everyone up!
My new year’s eve was a rather quiet night spent watching kohaku uta gassen and visiting the local shrine.
How was yours?
Related posts... maybe:
- Starbucks 2010 New Year Goodies
- Dondo Yaki (どんど焼き)
- First Sunrise 2010
- Japanese Autumn Moon
- First Snow 2010
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hey there.,
those are really nice pictures., it’s amazing how clear the sky was over at your place., I’m from the Philippines and i think the sky over at our place was a little cloudy but I could still see the moon and it was really beautiful. ^^ Happy new year btw~! it was really noisy at our place because of all the fire works and all the smoke was killing me., lol but it was really fun
I hope to read more from you. this is my first visit to you blog btw haha., Happy new year again~ ^^
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k Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for visiting! ^^. Hope to see you around more in 2010!
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The first shot does look HDR with the bright colour tones doesn’t it? Well, apart from the vignetting at the top corners. 10 seconds is pretty much about what I use at locations with low lighting too. Is it a fisheye lens you used?
I never knew about the “blue moon”. We had a clear starry, moonlit night over there too. Looked great shining over our snow “bear” in the garden and giving the snow a blue tint. Spent the eve watching the countdown with family here!
Xcomp´s last blog ..New Residents in the Garden?
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k Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I used a wide angle lens. It’s a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8. A wonderful piece of glass! We usually don’t get snow in Tokyo, maybe just for a day in early February. Really envy you having a snow bear in the garden. ^^.
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Very nice photos Ken. The first and the last are saigo desu.
Kam´s last blog ..Sunset at Garry Point Park
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Awesome pictures Ken!
Happy New Year and I’m looking forward to all the posts to come =)
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Quite lovely. Happy new year to you, anyway.
RyoBase´s last blog ..The journal of 2009
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