I hope 2012 brings you everything you desire.
I was in Tokyo for New Year's Eve in 2008/9 at Zojoji Temple just below Tokyo Tower.
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| Tokyo Tower lit up for New Year 2008/9 |
There was festival food where I ate my favourite meal of Yaki soba and crepes for dessert covered in chocolate, peanuts and sprinkles and shaped into a cone to eat it easier!
We watched a fire ceremony in the temple grounds and huddled close together as it got colder and colder as the night went on. We counted down the minutes and seconds and then saw 2009 lit up on Tokyo Tower. Everyone around us hugged and said "happy new year' to each other, it was a great atmosphere.
At the stroke of midnight thousands of clear balloons were let go into the night sky by people in the temple grounds. Attached to each balloon was a wish from the person that they wanted to come true in 2009.
As soon as the clock struck midnight a sea of people raced up the stairs to enter the temple to say their New Year prayers.
A fantastic New Year experience so different to my previous years. It was so nice soaking up the atmosphere and engaging in how the Japanese celebrate.
Have you experienced New Year's Eve in Japan? Where was it and what did you do?
G
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