Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is the Shishiyama at Kanda Myōjin Shrine.

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is Sukuna Hikona, the enshrined deity of Kanda Myōjin Shrine.

The Sagicho of Imao Winter Fire Festival "Sagicho" A rare start in falling snow? It was bitterly cold, but the festival burned bright. Imao, Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture February 8, 2026

Photographed on January 23, 2014. I visited Kanda Myōjin Shrine during the winter holidays. Akari Jinba looked sleepy. 🐴

Photographed on February 6, 2014. These are the red plum blossoms at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.🌸 Spring is approaching, but it is snowing today and quite cold.

Fushimi Inari-taisha 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture The biggest attraction at Fushimi Inari-taisha is the Senbon Torii. The sight of rows upon rows of vermilion torii gates is simply breathtaking! The items held in the mouths of the foxes at Fushimi Inari-taisha are mainly four kinds: rice ears, a scroll, a jewel (hoshu), and a key. These are said to be carried by the foxes (white foxes), messengers of Inari Ōkami, and each has a different meaning. Types and meanings of the items the foxes hold The fox statues at Fushimi Inari-taisha typically hold one of the following four items. Rice ears: Symbolizing a bountiful harvest and indicating that Inari Ōkami is a deity of agriculture. Scroll: Representing wisdom and knowledge, and believed to record the divine virtues of Inari Ōkami. Jewel (hoshu): A symbol of Inari Ōkami’s spiritual virtue or soul. Key: Seen as the key to Inari Ōkami’s treasure house, or as a symbol of the desire to possess the jewel (spiritual virtue).

Photographed on January 31, 2014. This is the hanatemizu (flower water basin) at the omikuji distribution booth of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 31, 2014. These are the floral water displays at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Ariakeyama Shrine sits on the foothills of the Northern Alps, venerating Mt. Ariake as its sacred mountain and serving as a village shrine rooted in mountain worship. It is also famous as a power spot. The Yumeimon Gate, adorned with carvings of the twelve zodiac animals, is splendid and designated as a tangible cultural property.

Photographed on January 31, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival 2026 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture The highlight of the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival is the dance offerings and bean-throwing performed by geiko and maiko from the hanamachi. At the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival, beans are thrown with participants shouting only “Fuku wa uchi” (Good fortune in). This stems from the belief that no oni (demons) exist within the shrine grounds, so there is no need to chant “Oni wa soto” (Demons out). Dance offerings and bean-throwing: From the four hanamachi—Pontocho Kabukai Association, Miyagawacho Kabukai, Gion Kobu Kabukai, and Gion Higashi Kabukai—beautiful geiko and maiko present gagaku and imayo performances, followed by bean-throwing. The fukumame (lucky beans) distributed at the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival (offering fee 300 yen) always come with a raffle ticket that guarantees a prize, making them very popular each year. Offering fee: 300 yen No blank tickets (every ticket wins something) You can draw your prize on the spot at the raffle venue Items distributed: Fukumame, skewer talismans, and other Setsubun festival–exclusive items. Some fukumame include raffle tickets for prizes. After the dances finish, geiko, maiko, and men and women born in the Year of the current zodiac will throw beans from the Maiden stage. The chance to be handed fukumame directly by hand occurs only at this moment. The front of the Maiden stage fills with excitement, and the shrine grounds take on the lively atmosphere typical of a Setsubun festival.

Photographed on January 31, 2014. These are the flower-filled water basins at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is the shrine grounds around 7:30 a.m.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. These are the hana-chōzu (flower water basins) at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the dog-year omikuji from Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It has a lovely retro vibe. 😊

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the twelve-zodiac omikuji from Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It's cute. 😊

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is Tokyo Daijingu Shrine at around 7:30 a.m.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. These are New Year decorations at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.🎍

Photographed on January 22, 2014. This is the New Year “Musubi no Kirameki” flower water basin at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It is on display for a limited time until Tuesday, January 27. I start work at my new workplace today. With a fresh start, I will do my best. 😊

In 1634, Kyokugaki Heikuro galloped up the stone steps on horseback, presented a plum branch to Tokugawa Iemitsu, and was praised as Japan’s greatest equestrian master. Wishing to share the luck of the Year of the Horse, he climbed the success steps.🐎

I will be on winter break until my transfer. Today I am strolling around Tokyo. I visited Tokyo Daijingu Shrine to see the hanachozu (flower-filled water basin). It was around 7:30 in the morning on the shrine grounds.

Photographed on January 15, 2014. These are the hanachōzu (flower water basins) at Senba Tōshō-gū.

Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Ichinen Andai fortune slip. Available only during the New Year season.

Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine's Ichinen An-tai fortune slip. Available only during the New Year period.

A commemorative ema and goshuin designed by Kobukuro Kuroda-san of "Kugatsu Youka" have been created!✨ Heartwarming news has arrived from "Kugatsu Youka" in East Sakai!👀 ～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～ Kugatsu Youka in East Sakai has, with the cooperation of the local Hochigai Shrine, prepared special ema and goshuin. As it happens, there is a story from a mother who used to visit Hochigai Shrine when she moved from Harumidai to Makizukadai in third grade, and we once again felt how deeply the shrine is rooted in Sakai. When we consulted with Hochigai Shrine, who share this connection, they said, “We have long known that Kugatsu Youka has been working hard to enliven the streets of Sakai. We are happy to cooperate.” With those warm words, this initiative became a reality. Visitors may write their wishes on the ema and dedicate them on the ema racks set up at Hochigai Shrine and at three locations within the Sakai Higashi Shopping Street. Please come by and receive these special ema and goshuin along with your heartfelt wishes. Details will be announced at Kugatsu Youka’s counter (@kugatsu.youka) and on their social media. Look forward to it. ～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Today I attended the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is the shrine precincts around 7:30 a.m.

Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura & Kotono Shrine Night Kagura From the evening of January 10 into the morning of January 11, the Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura and the Kotono Shrine Night Kagura were safely offered again this year 👹 I can still hear the drumbeat pounding in the back of my ears and the clear, high sound of the flute ringing in my mind 😆 You could hear the dancers’ breathing, see children watching intently, and feel the atmosphere of kagura as locals and returnees to Gokase gathered together ✨ We were treated to another wonderful performance this year 🥰 This beautiful night was made possible by the preservation society members who trained diligently, the local women’s association who served warm meals and drinks through the night, and the officers and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure smooth operations. The smiles of the visitors who return to this place each year exist because of the devoted support of these community members 👏 We would be happy to watch over this proud Gokase kagura tradition with you again next year and the year after 💕 Thank you very much to everyone who came from afar in the cold!

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Fortune Tai Omikuji for new adults only.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine offers a "Mirai An-tai" fortune slip exclusive to new adults. It runs until January 12. I hope to receive one too. 😊