Achi Shrine New Year Festival (visited on January 3, 2020) - Things enjoyed and troubles faced during the first shrine visit with children.

On January 3, 2020, shortly after 11 a.m., I went to Achi Shrine near the Bikan Historical Area with my 9-year-old and 6-year-old children for our first shrine visit of the year.

I was worried it would be crowded that day, but contrary to my expectations, the shrine grounds were not very busy.

Since Achi Shrine is located in the city, it is easy to plan activities before and after the first shrine visit of the year, making it a recommended spot.

Let me introduce what it was like during our first shrine visit of the year.

Achi Shrine - The main shrine watching over Kurashiki from the mountain. 'Achi's Wisteria' is also a highlight.

As I walked along the Kurashiki River in the Bikan Historical Area, I saw a small hill to the northeast. It is a mountain called Tsurugatayama, and the shrine visible on top of the mountain is Achi Shrine...

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New Year Events at Achi Shrine

At Achi Shrine, various New Year events are held from 10:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve until January 3 of the following year.

Additionally, for visitors arriving by car, a temporary parking lot is set up in the courtyard of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School nearby.

That's quite convenient, isn't it?

By the way, please note that parking is not allowed in the elementary school courtyard in case of rain.

Report on the First Shrine Visit of the Year at Achi Shrine

We entered the shrine from the west approach.

After climbing the stone steps, a straight path continues for about 5 minutes.

We arrived at the temizuya (purification fountain).

It's cold, but let's purify our hands and mouth.

While we were purifying our hands, we could hear sounds resembling traditional Japanese instruments (gagaku?) coming from the shrine.

After walking for a while, we reached the entrance to the shrine grounds.

It seemed that many people were coming from the south approach that continues from the Bikan Historical Area, and there was a quite long line in front of the worship hall.

Since we came from the west approach, we needed to go down the stone steps of the south approach once to join the line to worship at the worship hall...

It seemed difficult to stand in a long line with children, so we gave up on visiting the worship hall and proceeded into the shrine grounds.

Once we entered the shrine grounds, it was not as crowded as I had worried.

The State of the Shrine Grounds at Achi Shrine

To the left of the worship hall, there is a place to write ema (votive tablets).

From here, we had a good view of the streets of Kurashiki.

As we continued, we discovered that sweet sake was being offered.

It will end as soon as it runs out.

Further in, you can draw omikuji (fortune slips).

My second son was overjoyed to draw a great fortune!

After drawing the omikuji, we tied it at the "musubi-dokoro" (tying place).

As we continued, we found several small shrines (shrine grounds) lined up, so we offered our prayers at the ones that were open.

From January 1 to 3, it is said that freshly pounded rice cakes are distributed starting at 10 a.m.

There was a notice that it would end as soon as they ran out, and I wanted to go as early as possible, but I couldn't make it in time, and by around 11:30 a.m. that day, they were already finished...

Next time I visit for the first shrine visit of the year, I plan to go much earlier.

What is the Source of the Sounds Echoing at Achi Shrine?

While strolling around the shrine grounds, I could hear beautiful flute sounds.

I discovered someone performing on the Noh stage beside the shrine.

In their hand was, surprisingly, a "chikuwa" (fish cake tube)!

The person famous for playing the chikuwa flute, Sumitaku Masato, was performing.

Not only with chikuwa, but he was also beautifully performing with "renkon" (lotus root).

The sounds produced from chikuwa were unexpected, and popular songs like "Paprika" were also performed, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

In addition, there were many performances that are not usually seen, such as dances, koto (Japanese harp), and theremin.

Things to Note for Families with Children at Achi Shrine

Here are some things I noticed when visiting the shrine with children.

Use the Sloped Path Instead of the Stone Steps with a Stroller

The path with stone steps does not have a ramp, and I saw people carrying strollers up and down.

When visiting with a baby, it is important to be careful.

There is a sloped path next to the south approach, so let's use that.

There May Be Odors in the Restroom

There was a restroom with a diaper changing table on the premises, but it had a smell that made me hesitate to enter.

It seems that during busy times like New Year's, there can be odors.

If you are concerned, there is a clean and spacious restroom with a diaper changing table at the shopping mall 'Sunst' next to JR Kurashiki Station, so it is reassuring to take care of it there.

Impressions of New Year's Visit to Achi Shrine

Achi Shrine is close to JR Kurashiki Station, and after the New Year's visit, I enjoyed returning while looking at the Bikan Historical Area.

Even though it was the first three days of the year, most shops were open as usual and it was bustling with tourists.

We were able to hear a rare performance of chikuwa flutes, making it a fun New Year's visit for both parent and child.

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