When we mentioned going to a shrine again this year, we got almost zero positive response. The kids wanted to hang out with friends. It was late by the time we relented, so Cliff and I decided to go it on our own, in search of a restaurant open late.
We ended up at our favorite Hawaiian restaurant...Tony's Honolulu. We had no intention of staying until midnight...
I just had this glorious, garlic shrimp on my mind.
But since it was New Year's Eve, the owner was offering free drinks to everyone. Lucky for us, he has a very large non-alcoholic selection, so we happily accepted his gracious offer.
At about 11:30, he brought out some electronic gadget, strung on a large cord to hook up to the TV on the wall. Something to do with satellite reception. When we saw what looked like the Tokyo version of Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve...we knew we had to stay.
I loved watching all the popular Japanese performing artists, even though I didn't know any of them.
This act totally cracked me up. They were like the Fruit of the Loom guys...only sushi!
I don't know the character being interviewed here, but it seemed oddly serious.
Then, at about five minutes before midnight, it switched over to a Tokyo shrine. Talk about a contrast. Instead of watching confetti fall and people in crazy glasses kiss, this was the somber way the new year was actually rung in. Minutes before midnight, the owner tried to insist we take some shots of whiskey. We had to be very persistent, but after about 3 tries (and us motioning that we'd be happy toasting the new year with our smoothies) he relented. He wasn't the last to try to get us to take it...but it all ended up fine. We were thrilled to be part of a local party.
Even though the wind outside was fierce (it's the worst right on the water, where we were)...
We still went out to the balcony with everyone to whoop it up at the stroke of midnight...
And watch the fireworks over Araha beach.
The owner also insisted we eat toshikoshi soba to end the year right. They are eaten for long life, and you need to slurp the long noodles whole (because breaking them would mean a shorter life, right?).
What a great (although unexpected) way to celebrate the New Year. Now maybe we'll have to try something entirely different each year.
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