I visited Ochiyobo Inari Shrine in Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture, for Hatsumode (New Year’s visit).

I visit the shrine every year at this time of the year.

I prayed for business prosperity and the safety of my family.

The first thing I do there is to buy a set of fried bean curd and a candle to offer to the Inari Shrine.

After that, I light the candle and offer the fried bean curd at the shrine with a monetary offering.

Ochobo means “small,” but it is not a small Inari Shrine.

After that, you can buy a rake or a treasure ship to “bring good fortune”. I always have a hard time deciding where to buy them, but no matter where you buy them, they will be personalized with the name of your company.

After visiting the Shrine, many people eat kushikatsu (fried pork on skewers), a specialty of the shrine.

The most famous one is “Tamaya.

You can eat freshly fried kushikatsu, which are breaded and deep fried in front of you, with your choice of a special shoyu-based kushikatsu sauce or a miso-based sauce. You can eat as much as you like first and pay for it later.

Of course, you can also eat in the spacious restaurant. Tamaya is famous for its kushikatsu and dote-ni(stewed beef tendon).

Many people eat dote-ni-don (bowl of rice topped with stewed beef tendon) in the restaurant.

My husband and I ordered at the counter outside. I had only one kushikatsu. My husband had five.

I am thankful that I was able to visit the Shrine again this year. I will be able to work hard.