2021 is the Year of "Ox" ~chinese zodiac~

 The new year 2021 is coming soon...

We have the chinese zodiac. Can you say all zodiac?

子　　Rat

丑       Ox

寅       Tiger

卯       Rabbit

辰       Dragon

巳       Snake

午       House

未       Sheep

申       Monkey

酉       Cock

戌       Dog

亥       Pig

The next year 2021 is the year of "Ox" and 2020 is the year of "Rat". This is the writer's room decoration in this year.

Not all people decorate this kind of things but it is just a example.

Many Japanese go to shrine the begining of the new year to wish. Some people wait for the new year (1.1  0:00) at the shrine even under the snow.

However this time is not as usual due to the Covid-19. The shrine recommend to visit earlier. (before coming the new year) 

This is "Oarai Isosaki Shrine" in Ibaraki prefecture which is north east from Tokyo. 

As you see, you have to go up many stairs...　91 stairs and very steep! Please try it!

Just the other side of the shrine, you can see the pacific ocean. Especially sunset is amazing.

It is said that the god appeared this spot(on the rock) suddenly so the people built the gate(Torii) on the rock. 

Oarai Isosaki Shrine: http://oarai-isosakijinja.or.jp/　（only Japanese)

Access: Tokyo - Mito station(JR Jyoban express) - Oarai station(Kashima rinaki tetsudo oaraikashima line)  2H  ¥4,220(one way)

#newyear #shrine #Oarai #Ibaraki #Oaraiisosakishrine #chinesezodiac #yearofox #ox