The most important thing to do for the new year is to go to the shrine or temple to get a tiger. The tiger will protect you from bad luck and illness during the year. This has been a tradition for Chie and me during the last 7 years or so. And Coco has been included since last year.

This year was no exception. We walked with Coco to the temple. On the way we took a detour so that Coco could run free for a while. Something he enjoys very much.

Arriving at the temple the people usually wash their hands before praying or whatever they are doing at the temple. We took a picture of the dragon providing the water washing the visitor’s hands. In difference from western dragons the Japanese dragons are not considered evil. So instead of breathing fire and kill people thins dragon just enables people to wash their hands.

Then we did our main business at the temple. The tiger. We got one for each of us, Coco, Chie and me. As you can see we were not the only ones wanting protection.

In the evening we had traditional New Year’s day food (osechi). Usually the stores are closed for a few days during New Year in Japan. So there is a need to have food that can be preserved for a few days. This is what we had for dinner.

4 degrees in the room as I woke up this morning. My breath made a puffy little white cloud. I got dressed in light speed to get down to the warm kitchen as soon as possible.

When it got warmer outside Coco took me for a walk again. The sky was blue and it was very nice day. Though a little bit cold in the wind.

In the evening we watched some typical Japanese New Year’s T programs. Like K-1 fighting and some kind of sing contest or rather sing performance of famous Japanese artists. I prefer the K-1. But I agree that it is better to watch Japanese artist sing old style songs than watching K-1 while having dinner.

Since it was New Year’s evening we had hand-roll sushi and crab. It was deliscious and we ate for a long time. Many of my favorite fishes were there, such as chu-toro and kampachi. The only thing that we did not eat was the salmon, which is not considered a good fish for sushi in Japan.

We all got quite tired after eating too much. But only Chie and Coco took a night nap. I had my nap during the afternoon instead. Once Coco woke up he wanted to play again.