In Japan, the first few days of the new year are an important time for families to visit a local, Shinto shrine to pay respects and also ask for kind benevolence throughout the coming year. This occasion is called "Hatsumode" (hot-tsu-moe-day) and 2 days ago we visited Kashima-Jinja in Machida with our good friends, the Koizumi's.
Following our commune with the various Gods that inhabit this particular shrine, we made our way to a restaurant for refreshments and food.
Kampaii kami-sama!! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
