Today, the shrine in this picture (in Enoshima) will be overrun with people making their first shrine visit of the year.

It will be overflowing with people even before the new year begins. They’ll be returning the charms they bought last year, and buying new ones for this year. They’ll be praying, and trying to be heard above the din as they ask for this amulet or that amulet. It will be chaos, but not too chaotic, because this is Japan.

I’ve decided to wait till tomorrow to make my first visit of the year.