Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka

Many, many people visit shrines to buy good luck charms and pray during the first few days of the year. Many, many people. There are tents all along the way to buy food and gifts.












People throw coins into this shrine when they say their prayers. Ben threw some, too, but hit people both tries!









Something cool that we never would have done without a Japanese friend was to get a fortune. We had seen this at other temples, but didn't know what was going on. You pay 200 Yen and then shake a box full of sticks that have a character on them. The one that falls out of the hole tells which fortune that you get. They give it to you on a piece of paper. If it is good, you keep it in your wallet. If it is bad, you have to tie it to a string to leave it behind. Ayaka got a bad one and here she is tying it up...








Monkey Show!





What to eat?


Umm, this?