Hatsumode at Senso-ji in Asakusa

For many people in Japan, a traditional event of the New Year is hatsumode, the first visit to a shrine or temple of the year. On January 2nd, I went to the buddhist temple of Senso-ji in Asakusa.

Above, Kaminarimon Gate.

Above, Nakamise shopping street. It goes from Kaminarimon Gate to the Temple.

Above, 2014 is a year of the horse in the Chinese zodiac.

Above, Hozomon Gate.

Above, the temple, with a crowd of people waiting to get inside.

Above, police officers were managing the crowd.

Above, octopus bits for takoyaki.

Above, food stalls, selling the usual festival food (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakitori, oden…)

Above, people waiting in line at the shinto Asakusa shrine.

Above, sweet potatoes.

Above, Tokyo Skytree in the distance.