Happy New Year

Happy 2017 everybody! At year-end (nenmatsu) in Japan many people hang pine boughs outside their homes for good luck.  That's what we did outside our studio apartment as did many of our neighbours.  The shrines and temples were very busy yesterday (New Year's Day) and still today on the 2nd.  The streets are also busy with people walking but many businesses are closed.  Daily life doesn't fully return to normal until January 3rd or 4th.