An Afternoon of "Momiji-Gari"

On Saturday afternoon, I went with Yuko and Stephanie to Yoyogi Park nearby Harajuku to do some "Momiji-gari". "Momiji-gari" literally means autumn leaf ("momiji") hunting ("gari"). In other words, you go walking around admiring autumn leaves. There's no real direct translation to English. Only a culture like Japan that has such a deep appreciation for nature and the four seasons would have such a term in their lexicon.

Even though it's already December, the leaves just turned colors a few weeks ago. It was like an overnight thing. After the Mita Festival, I looked out the window in class, and the huge ginko tree in the school court yard had turned completely a bright gold. It's really pretty.

Yoyogi Park was also very pretty with its mixture of yellow and red leaves and its active fountains. But, I took pictures! So you can see for yourself:

Afterwards, we went to visit Meiji Jingu, which is one of the main and high status Shinto shrines in Japan. Needless to say, it's a big tourist spot.
This is the main gate:

It was Yuko's first time to go to this shrine as well. She was marvelling at how once we passed through the main gate, the nature was so beautiful that it didn't seem like we were in Tokyo anymore.

Before you pass through this gate, you have to stop at a wooden fountain like thing where you purify your hands and mouth with the supposedly "sacred" water. And then you end up in a big square-like place:

 At the place up ahead, you pray to the "kami" for good fortune and health by throwing a 5yen coin into a wooden box, bowing twice, clapping twice, making a wish, and then bowing once.
Then, we went to see the wooden plaques called "ema" where people write their wishes to pass tests, for good health, etc.

 Since it's such a famous shrine, there were several plaques in different languages. A lot of different people from different countries have been to visit there.

This was one of my favorite plaques: "With a calm heart, forward, forward, I will go."

 While we were there, it seemed like there were two Shinto style weddings going on. I don't know if the people were famous or what, but there were camera men filming the wedding--who was in my way of taking a picture... Stephanie was surprised at how the couple was so serious. They didn't smile or anything. Yuko explained that this is because they believe that they are in front of god, so have the responsibility to remain solemn. The women all in white is the bride. The man next to her is the groom. The two women in front of them are Shinto priestesses (called "miko") and at the head of the party is a Shinto priest.

It was all a very interesting and fun experience and I love Yuko--she's so sweet.

Ahh it's the Xmas season~~~! Although this season can be kind of lonely especially when you walk down a street full of xmas lights all alone surrounded by what seems a billion couples.......I have at least 4 Xmas parties planned, one of them which is tomorrow. Ahh so exciting~