New Years 2010

Our New Years Eve was really mellow. We went out to eat as a family and then we took the kids to see Princess and the Frog. It was really cute. We finished the night off in front of our own TV at home watching Up. We began 2010 with a trip to the Naritasan temple. The Japanese begin their New Year with a visit to a Shrine or a temple in the first 3 days of the New Years so of course we wanted to see what it was all about and participate.
The temple ground has a sense of festivities. There are all kinds of street vendors selling foods and trinkets. Quite often the food has flecks of 'gold dust' inside the food during Hatsumode (the first shrine or Buddhist temple visit of the year). After working our way through the vendors and standing in line, we passed the fertility fountain. I personally avoided washing my hands here.
Before entering any of the Holy temples or Shrines in Japan it is custom to wash your hands at the 'well'. You take the ladel with your right hand and pour water over your left hand- not over the well- and repeat with the right hand.
While inside the temple, prayers are said, and of the religious leaders chant and there is plenty of bong ringing. Honestly, I don't know what it all means. Afterwards you may purchase an omikuji, which is a written oracle of personalized "predictions" for the year, for 100 yen each (~$1). We each got one. It was fun to read what our omikuji's perdicted about our love life, work life, investment, family, wishes, dreams and other things for 2010. Fortunately, we all got either 'excellent' predictions, 'good' predictions, or 'fair' predictions. Those who receive bad predictions typically tie their omikuji to the fence at the temple as it is believed that they are allowed to leave their bad luck behind.
Some people actually bring their own predictions for the up-coming year and leave that on the temple grounds as well in an attempt to bring good fortune to t
I didn't get a picture, but most people also buy o-mamori (amulets and charms) which often look like key chains and are used throw out the year. They will often bring the charm from the previous year and leave it at the temple as a way of leaving the old year behind and welcoming the New Year.

And finally, for your reading pleasure, some excerpts from our omikujis.

Pete: STUDY: Set your target early. WISH: It will be realized later. Don't speak ill of others. BUSINESS: No problem, You'll get profit.
Becca: FORTUNE: Be gentle and modest, and your fortune will be better and better, everything will go well. Do good for others, not being selfish. MARRIAGE PROPOSAL: Don't be haughty or you'll be disliked.
Lalee: SPECULATION: Do it very carefully. LOVE: Control your ego. EXPECTED VISITOR: He / she won't come.
JaNae: ADVICE: I happened to be here by myself, to find the cherry blossoms were at their best. CHILDBIRTH: Keep your mind clam. TRAVEL: Choose a good day to start on.
Alex: GAME AND MATCH: You'll win. Depend on others. MISSING THING: Ask a neighbor first.

And for the rest of you, I don't have your omikuji on hand but my guess is that 2010 will be full of adventure for you too!