Mount Fuji (off Tokyo): Jan.7-22, 2017

I had occasions to visit Shizuoka Prefecture. I could enjoy various scenes of Mt. Fuji from towns and through the window of Shinkansen Bullet train.

It is a scene from Shinkansen in Fuji City. Mt. Fuji stands behind the rice field, the tee garden, towns and factories. (see also the 2nd and 3rd photos from the top) 

Mt. Fuji over the Fujikawa River is wonderful. (See the top photo)

The scene is from Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is the eastern side of Mr. Fuji.

The southeastern side of the mountain is seen from Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture.

New year’s visits to shrines and temples: Jan.1-4, 2017

A new year began. I visited shrines and temples to make wished for the coming year.

Rokusho Shrine is a small shrine in Setagaya ward and it is usually uncrowded.

On January 1^st, I saw many people in a queue to make prays.

Gotokuji Temple was also crowded on the same day. (see also the 2nd photo from the top)

The temple is famous as a place where the lucky cat legend was made. Many lucky cats are placed here after being used as the guards of the houses and stores. People not only prayed at the temple, but also made visits to the lucky cats.

Yoyogi Hashiman Shrine in Shibuya ward is one of popular shrines in Tokyo. I visited there on January 3^rd. (see also the top photo)

People made a long line.

I also visited Setagaya Hachiman Shrine. A photo place was arranged for the visitors.

I got a feeling that the number of new year’s visitors to shrines and temples are increasing year by year. It may be because the number of old people are increasing. I am not sure.