New Years at Furano Shrine

When : New Years Eve
Where : Furano Shrine located in Furano downtown

To experience a very Japanese cultural New Year why not go to the local Shrine located down town where locals gather to welcome in the New Year. Many locals will come here from their homes, parties or straight from the Ski Area’s New Years Festival.

The shrine is a lively and enjoyable place from around 11:30pm to 1:00am.

Most Japanese will visit the shrine at least once over the next 3 days.

The experience is not so much religious as it is steeped in history and the culture passed on from generation to generation. Many younger people gather at the Shrine over New Year with a beer in their hand and clamber to ring the massive bell with the log which is strung up from the bell structure.

The Bell is rung 108 times by guests over the night. This number is not chosen indiscriminately, but is chosen as there are 108 recognized world desires in Shinto and the 108 hits will clean up or sweep away the desires and cleanly and freshly welcome in the New Year.

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