visiting shrine in Japan? :)

As for the new year, Japanese has the culture to visit shrine and pray.

This is one of the most famous shrine in Japan "Yasaka Jinja" Yasaka shrine

This year is the year of monkey.

Oriental Zodiac sign shows monkey. There are 12 of them; mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and wild boar!

This will be decided by the year you are born. For me I was born in 1993, therefore I am Chicken. 

Q: How to pray at the shrine?

Firstly you clime up the stairs, but be careful! In the middle is the way only God can walk. Be humble a little, try to walk up the side of the stairs if possible and safe!

Then, you put a coin in the box. If there is 5 yen, I recommend you to put that! This is because 5 yen is representing "en" = good connections among people. 

Then you do 2 bows and 2 times of tapping your hands and close your eyes.. then, pray :))

Whatever the luck you get, you face the result and better following the advice! After you read it, tie on the tree blanch.

I hope everyone have a good year 2016 :))

Writer: Aya