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The front gate will have a line of people waiting to pray in the temple at midnight

We were on our way to Myohoji on New Year's Eve's afternoon

So peaceful

The street facing Myohoji

Monuments

This is the actual temple where people will be praying and making their New Year wishes

An acolyte captured in this picture

Worker shoveling snow

Snow-covered water trough stand

Snow-covered pine

We saw several people out on the streets shoveling snow

Our nextdoor neighbor's very cute snowcat

The "snowman" I made in a hurry

Thought I would let Daifoo play in the snow, all he wanted to do was to get back in the house

Long line of people waiting to get past the front gate into the temple ground around midnight on New Year's Eve

Numerous policemen and security guards were there. Those outside the temple ground had flashing wands to direct people and car traffic

This station is for people to toll the bell

People queued to ring the bell

People line up ready to make their wishes and prayers in the temple. There were half a dozen policemen at the top and bottom of the stairs to make sure the normally disciplined Japanese...be more disciplined?

This man in kimono provided some background noise by humming a non-stop chant like he's reciting a prayer over and over again

There are stands such as this one selling New Year good luck stuff

Although the snow had turned into rain at about 4 pm on New Year's Eve, the ground was still covered with snow 8 hours later

Food vendors inside the shrine

This one sells hot sweet sake

A large tent was set up to sell grilled food and drinks