It is Japanese traditional new year decoration.
Many Japanese like to go for Hatsu-moude in January 1. Hatsu-moude is to go Shrine and pray for new year.
I also went to Shrine. Japan have many Shrine, but some famous Shrine crowd, so I choose small Shrine.
Torii is Shinto Shrine gate.
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii
We can wash hand and wash mouse here, but seldom use here...
From end of Decenber to beginning of January, This season have many religious events in Japan and Japanese change religion.
Generally Japanese enjoy Christmas(Christianity), listen to the watch-night bell in Decenber 31 night(Buddhism), go to Shrine and pray(Shintoism, traditional religion). Is it strange?
mata-ne!
