My seventh year since moving to Japan has just come to an end. Last year I spent the New Years Eve with new year's countdown in the crowded Shibuya crossing, so this year it was time for something quieter. With my friend Camilla visiting from Norway it was a nice opportunity to show her the traditional Japanese new year celebration, and so we decided to spend the holiday with my darling's family in Kobe.
By midnight we went to a nearby temple called Sanshinzan Taisan-ji (三身山太山寺), or Taisan-ji for short. The main hall of this temple was built in 1293, and this building has been designated a National Treasure of Japan. I've included some pictures from the temple below:
Above: Yuma lighting up an incense stick
Above: Entering the Main Hall
Above: Visitors ringing the bell inside the Main Hall
Above: View from the top of the stairs to the Main Hall
Above: Lucky items sold at the temple
Above: Entering the Main Hall
Above: Visitors ringing the bell inside the Main Hall
Above: View from the top of the stairs to the Main Hall
Above: Lucky items sold at the temple
Above: New year with family and friends
The Japanese new year holiday strongly resembles the Western Christmas celebration. This is a festivity where family comes together and enjoy delicious food. The name of the commonly eaten Japanese cuisine is "osechi ryori" (お節料理). Here is a photo from the following morning (January 1st) where we got served osechi ryori breakfast prepared by Yuma's mother:
After a refreshing holiday it is time to start a new year. Although I don't have any new year's resolutions I hope to continue to challenge myself in the upcoming year, and to bring exciting stories for those out there who might be interested in reading more about life in Japan.
- Anette
Related blog posts
- All blog posts from Kobe
- New Year Celebration at a Japanese Temple - Taisan-ji (太山寺)
- Sightseeing in Kobe: A visit to the Uonotana Fish Market (魚の棚)(魚の棚)
- All blog posts from Osaka
- All blog posts from Kyoto
- All blog posts from Japan
■ Basic Info
- ・Taisan-ji Sanshinzan Taisan-ji (三身山太山寺)
- ・Address：Taisanji 〒651-2108 Hyōgo-ken, Kōbe-shi, Nishi-ku, 伊川谷町前開２２４
- ・Homepage: http://www.do-main.co.jp/taisanji/ (Japanese only)
About Anette
Anette came to Japan as an exchange student in 2010, met the love of her life and got stuck. From her base in Tokyo she writes about her experiences as a full-time worker in Tokyo and about her travels in Japan and abroad. She's a free-spirited adventurer who enjoys both the great outdoors and her urban lifestyle.
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