Here's a few shots of my new year's day visit to Hachiman-gu Shrine in Kamakura. This is the biggest and most important shrine in Kamakura and a very popular destination for "
hatsumode".
Legacy Pro 400
Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH
Leica M7
The white rope is raised and the masses move slowly forward toward the shrine. There were two rope controls along the path to the outer altar of the shrine, and the line of people stretched about 500 metres in length at its peak.

I just make it before the rope is dropped to stop people climbing the steps with this batch of people. What a crowd.

The next batch of people awaits patiently behind the rope before it is lifted and they can climb the steps to the outer altar. The line of people stretches way off into the distance behind the building.
This is the outer altar of the shrine, and final destination for most of the people waiting in line. People pray here for good fortune in the new year, then get moved off to the side so the next batch of people can climb the steps and have their turn.
After praying at the shrine's outer alter, a girl purchases a good luck charm for the new year. Naturally, a good luck charm from the shrine is only valid for one year, so you have to buy a new one each year. Quite a good business mode for the shrine, eh. And of course tax free income for the shrine ;-)