#Family "New Year's Shrine Visit"

"We're leaving at 6:30 in the morning."

During the New Year's holiday,

we headed to Kyoto, where my wife's parents live,

and after greeting my parents-in-law,

we went to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine,

to pray for my daughter's success in her high school entrance exams.

There were other places we wanted to visit,

and also,

to give my son more experience driving,

with my son driving,

the four of us as a family,

decided to go on an outing toward Kyoto.

First, we went to greet my wife's parents.

Grandpa and Grandma,

are extremely doting on their grandchildren.

Since my son is already a university student,

I had told them there was no need for New Year's money,

but as expected,

they had prepared some for him as well.

My daughter said,

'Wait,

so that means I'll still get it

even when I'm a college student,

yay!'

and was happy along with me.

Next,

we headed to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

We hung up an ema for academic success,

put our hands together,

and prayed for my daughter's success.

Whenever we go to shrines or temples,

for some reason, my wife

is the very last one,

praying for a long time,

making her wishes.

The three of us—my son, my daughter, and I—

after we finished our own prayers,

From a little distance away,

I usually end up waiting,

for my wife to finish her prayer.

I wonder,

what on earth she is wishing for so intently.

And then,

we draw our annual omikuji fortune slips.

That was when,

something surprising happened.

My wife, son, and daughter, the three of them,

all drew slips with the same number.

'Whoa, can that really happen?'

As they exclaimed,

and told the exchange counter the number,

to our amazement, all three of them,

got the result of 'Great Blessing'.

And I alone,

was left behind,

with a 'Middle Blessing'.

As expected, this year too,

The reality that I cannot even be number one in my own family.

However,

surprisingly,

the contents of my fortune were not so bad either.

Because I was the only one who didn't get a 'Great Blessing' (Daikichi),

I felt a bit conflicted,

but I decided to distract myself

with a remaining traditional pleasure.

First,

Maeda's baby castella,

which I only ever see at food stalls in Kyoto (?).

It is the most delicious baby castella

I have ever eaten.

It is wonderful that it tastes good even when cold.

I bought 1,000 yen worth,

and the four of us in the family ate them up

while walking along.

And then,

we headed to the next shrine.

On the approach to Imamiya Shrine,

at a shop called Kazariya,

we went to eat aburi mochi.

It's slightly sweet,

so delicious that,

I could just keep eating them.

My sweet-toothed family was delighted.

Inside the Japanese-style shop,

while soaking in the atmosphere,

we fully enjoyed the mochi and warm tea.

And so,

it was a New Year's shrine visit that left us full.

It's a small thing, but,

I hope this energy of joy,

reaches all across Japan.

<Today, I'll be doing a Stand.fm live!>

For today only,

The streaming time has changed!

Starting at 8:00 PM🎙️✨

The topic for our discussion is,

"At what age is it appropriate

　to give a mobile phone

　to your child?"

Let's solve the first problem

of the year together😊.

Please,

come and join us!

<This month's connection activity: Theme is Family>

Here are the people who are cooperating with us✨.

On our Stand.fm broadcast🎙️

◯ Ayaka-san

◯ Aono Usagi-san

In our note article✏️

◯ Daina-san

For more details,

Please listen to my Stand.fm.