This decoration should bring good luck for the household over the coming year. These magnificent ancient cedar or sugi trees line the path to a Shinto shrine. All natural forms are said to have their own god and the Sugi is no exception. The trees are decorated with rope and paper which have special significance in the Shinto belief. Japan has taken the gourmet tradition to extremes.
Food is a national obsession and easily the most popular topic of discussion.
Another vital substance in Japanese culture - osake. It is known in Japan as Nihonshu, which literally means Japanese alcohol. The art of producing good osake is as refined as the art of producing good wine. Dating back to the 3rd Century, osake is steeped in history and very much a part of Shinto tradition, often being used in important ceremonies. These are casks of different types of sake, a common sight outside shrines throughout Japan.