あけまして おめでとう ございます。
akemashite omedetou gozaimasu
Happy New Year!
These are just a few photos of Shimogamo Shrine, one of the oldest shrines that can be found in Japan. If you follow the link (to my favorite information go to site, wikipedia) you will learn about the two Kamo Shrines located here, in Kyoto City. These shrines, Shimogamo (the lower shrine, referring to location in Kyoto) and Kamigamo (the upper shrine), are dedicated to the god of Thunder. Shimogamo Shrine is believed to be older by 100 years and was built to protect Kyoto City. Another interesting fact is that this historical shrine is located a mere 5 minute walk from my apartment! So much fun information to share!
Last year my Mom and I made a couple trips to the shrine to view the New Years festivities and I was once again intrigued to observe the ongoings during Japan's most venerated holiday.
I take such joy in people watching on New Years Day. It is wonderful to see the old and young come to the shrines dressed in kimono or to see the mothers and fathers bring their little children out all bundled in their winter clothes or to even see the couples enjoying their time together by writing their New Year's wishes on pieces of wood or paper and hanging them around the shrine.
Visiting the shrines is also fun because the have all the fair foods set up and ready to buy! And let me add that Japanese fair foods completely beat out the foods you find at the fairs in America! Of course there are the carmel/candy apples, hot dogs (well more just the dog on a stick, basically a naked corn dog) and some other sweets but there is also takoyaki (fried octopus dumpling), okonomiyaki (pan fried dish, the name means "cook what you like" because the contents and batters vary in each region), sweet potato french fries, and my favorite imagawayaki (a round dessert with a pancake like batter filled with azuki beans)! Ok, i realize that the translations in English might actually make these foods unappealing, but people, they are goooooooooood. All my family and friends be warned, I WILL MAKE YOU TRY THEM ALL! (In addition to other new Japanese foods that I have come to enjoy). YEA!
Unfortunately this year I was a bit too jet-lagged which also left my appetite out of wack as well. Therefore, I sadly did not indulge in the various foods I just described. But, there are many more Japanese holidays and fairs to come and you can be sure I will satisfy my taste buds at that time.
akemashite omedetou gozaimasu
Happy New Year!
These are just a few photos of Shimogamo Shrine, one of the oldest shrines that can be found in Japan. If you follow the link (to my favorite information go to site, wikipedia) you will learn about the two Kamo Shrines located here, in Kyoto City. These shrines, Shimogamo (the lower shrine, referring to location in Kyoto) and Kamigamo (the upper shrine), are dedicated to the god of Thunder. Shimogamo Shrine is believed to be older by 100 years and was built to protect Kyoto City. Another interesting fact is that this historical shrine is located a mere 5 minute walk from my apartment! So much fun information to share!
Last year my Mom and I made a couple trips to the shrine to view the New Years festivities and I was once again intrigued to observe the ongoings during Japan's most venerated holiday.
I take such joy in people watching on New Years Day. It is wonderful to see the old and young come to the shrines dressed in kimono or to see the mothers and fathers bring their little children out all bundled in their winter clothes or to even see the couples enjoying their time together by writing their New Year's wishes on pieces of wood or paper and hanging them around the shrine.
Visiting the shrines is also fun because the have all the fair foods set up and ready to buy! And let me add that Japanese fair foods completely beat out the foods you find at the fairs in America! Of course there are the carmel/candy apples, hot dogs (well more just the dog on a stick, basically a naked corn dog) and some other sweets but there is also takoyaki (fried octopus dumpling), okonomiyaki (pan fried dish, the name means "cook what you like" because the contents and batters vary in each region), sweet potato french fries, and my favorite imagawayaki (a round dessert with a pancake like batter filled with azuki beans)! Ok, i realize that the translations in English might actually make these foods unappealing, but people, they are goooooooooood. All my family and friends be warned, I WILL MAKE YOU TRY THEM ALL! (In addition to other new Japanese foods that I have come to enjoy). YEA!
Unfortunately this year I was a bit too jet-lagged which also left my appetite out of wack as well. Therefore, I sadly did not indulge in the various foods I just described. But, there are many more Japanese holidays and fairs to come and you can be sure I will satisfy my taste buds at that time.
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