    I just got back from Meiji Jingu,
which is next to Harajuku station. I knew it would be crowded, but I
needed to experience it anyway. I wanted to try starting the new year
in a Japanese fashion.
It
took us around an hour in line to get to the front of the temple where
you can make a prayer and toss some coins. Full crowd control made
things flow pretty smoothly without any pushing or shoving until the
very end, where the area to throw coins from becomes like the closest
point to the the front at a concert. Everyone trying to get there, but
people who are there and want to get out are stuck.
It was amazing to see so
many people at the temple and on the streets of Harajuku at 4am. Harajuku looked like it got a matsuri make-over.
The trains usually stop at around midnight, but runs all
night long New Year's Eve. The shedule is not as frequent as normal business
hours.
   Other common Japanese Oshogatsu traditions that we followed:
- Osoji - Haven't finished cleaning the house, but getting close.
- Toshi Koshi Soba
- Right after midnight we had this dish. We had our noodles with Tsuyu,
Negi, Nori, and Wasabi. Plain, but seemed just right for the moment.
The noodles made the dish.
- Kohaku Uta Gassen
- switched between this, the Pride fights, and the K1 w/ Bob Sapp Vs. Akebono. I wasn't too thrilled with watchin the singing ;)
New
Years Eve was a nice change to what I'm used to. There's a Japanese
community in Hawaii, so these traditions are not totally new to me. Just not
on this scale. Seeing so many people into Osoji, or writing Nen-ga-jyo
reminded me of the Christmas spirit that I missed. Christmas seemed more like a couples thing, and New Years more with family and good friends.
At least I started 2004 with a clearer head. Usually I'm pretty
intoxicated and partying with friends. Make that F*CKED up. This
time we got to reflect on 2003, and see where we want to be in 2004.
6:14:55 AM
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