Shunbun-no-hi (Vernal Equinox Day)

March 21th  was Shunbun-no-hi which means Vernal Equinox Day , one of our national holidays.During the week of the  Equinox,Buddist tembles hold special services and people pay their respects at their ancestors's graves.

We went to the very famous shrine of Turugaoka-Hachimangu in Kamakura near  Yokohama. Traditional wedding ceremony was held in the precinct on that particular day.
Crowds of people flowed down the streets to look into  many stalls.
   
At home we eat Ohagi, which is an oval-shaped sweet made from sticky rice , coated with sweet red -bean paste.From the view of Macrobiotics red beans are good for our kidney .Old people used to eat it 3 times a month , on the 5th, 15th and 25th for detoxification .

                                                                              Torii is the gateway to a Shinto shrine.It
is regarded as a barrier against evil sprits.

                                                           Before pray we wash our  hands for purification

                                                                  wash corner

                        I bought two Ohagi from different shops. 1 piece costs around  180 yen

                                                 sticky rice is inside