New Years Day in the Life of an Expat in Okinawa, Japan

Naritasan temple, Photo: Patrick Dep

Dont go to Futenma, Misako warns. The enchantress there is really jealous.You might have attribute problems this year.

Im an American living in Okinawa, as well as my friend Misako is giving advice. Its New Years Eve, as well as everyone during the celebration were during is articulate about where theyre starting for hatsumode, the initial tabernacle revisit of the year. All over Japan, people flock to shrines to respect Shinto deities as well as make wishes.

Naritasan is better, she says as well as offers me the bowl of toshikoshi soba.

Toshikoshi in Japanese equates to to see the aged year out, so its customary to eat the prolonged thin soba noodles upon Dec 31st.

Unlike in the US where we typically let loose upon New Years Eve during the bar as well as afterwards sleep the total subsequent day, this year Im celebrating Japanese style. That equates to we spent the total week scheming emotionally, financially, as well as even gastronomically. According to custom, we furiously spotless my house to eliminate the evil spirits. we paid bills as well as settled debts in sequence to have the clean money slate. we even stocked up upon mochi, rice cakes, as well as noodles.

Mochi, Photo: Rowena

Most importantly, we let go of my thought of January 1st as the day of recovery. Instead, New Years Day in Japan is the time for socializing with family, observant prayers, as well as being aware of the goodness we wish to move in your life. Its positively not the day to be spent twisted up in the round upon the couch.

At midnight, Misako turns upon the TV. Many Japanese revisit the tabernacle upon New Years Eve to watch the rite toll of the hulk bell 108 times, meant to giveaway us of sins committed ov! er the f inal year. Were all too lazy to leave the party, so we watch it from her living room as well as afterwards listen to firecrackers go off outside. We outlay the rest of the night personification Jenga as well as drinking awamori, the internal rice wine.

The subsequent morning, intoxicated yet determined, we find out Naritasan. Its the one-stop tabernacle portion the grab bag of devout needs. Whether its the higher-paying job or the baby we desire, Misako assures me deities there will be receptive.

Perched upon the side of the mountain, Naritasan Shrine faces the Pacific Ocean. Its the pleasing uninformed day as well as we forget all about my hangover headache.

Entering the grounds, we feel similar to Im during the county fair. Colorful booths have been offered boiled noodles as well as yakitori, yet there have been corn dogs as well as funnel cakes too. The atmosphere is gratifying as well as people everywhere, together with toddlers, have been decked out in kimono as well as traditional dress. Whats more, unless my eyes deceive me, we even view Mexican wrestling masks for sale.

As we travel up the steps to the main hall, the headlines organisation approaches as well as asks, Nihongo daijobu desu ka?

They wish to know if we verbalise Japanese so they can do an interview.

Ive been taking classes for multiform months, as well as we determine confidently. But when the camera shines upon me as well as the reporter sticks the microphone in my face, we freeze.

What is your goal for the new year? the reporter asks switching to English.

Like an ungainly pageant contestant, we stammer, Um, we wish complacency as well as great illness for all.

O-mamori charm, Photo: Timothy Takemoto

I wait in the prolonged line of people purifying themselves before confronting the deities. They mount in front of the soda fountain as well as wash their hands m! ethodica lly as well as rinse out their mouths. we do the same as well as afterwards make my round by the main hall.

Afterwards, we push by the bustling crowd to the emporium offered o-mamori, or great fitness charms. They have been generally helpful if we need to pass an critical examination or wish to find love. People can revisit the tabernacle any time of year to purchase one, yet Misako assured me that New Years Day is best as there is an generally well-stocked selection.

I confirm to pass upon the appeal as well as settle upon an omikuji, or created happening instead. we drop the 100-yen silver into the wooden box as well as select an English one. When we open the paper, we find personalized advice in twelve categories together with MISSING THING, GAME AND MATCH, CHILDBIRTH, as well as MARRIAGE PROPOSAL between others.

While we am gratified with the CHILDBIRTH as well as ILLNESS categories (patience advised for both) as well as REMOVAL (be in no hurry), we feel the little uneasy with the little of the others. Like for example, EXPECTED VISITOR, that vaguely warns me that something will be wrong with him or her. Then theres GAME AND MATCH, that tells me we will triumph yet will feel guilty about it. And finally, MARRIAGE PROPOSAL advises me to find out the secret organised marriage.

Overall, though, we cant complain about my ubiquitous prognosis for the year. Unlike others who might receive the prediction such as CURSED, POOR, or even just GOOD, Ive perceived the VERY GOOD.

Walking back towards the entrance, we pass fences as well as trees flashy with alternative peoples discarded fortunes. In Japan, if we dont similar to your fate, we can simply tie the slip of paper onto the bend as well as travel away.

Exiting the shrine, we stop during the food counter as well as buy the cup of warm honeyed sake. Then we make my way down the steps as well as back home for the nap upon the couch.

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