A large number of New Year celebrants visited shrines and temples in Kyoto on January 1-2 as the glacial weather gradually let up. While quietly bringing their hands together in prayer, some wished for an economic recovery, while others for the preservation of their families' health.

Kyoto Local Meteorological Observatory reported the highest temperature in the city of Kyoto to be 9.8 degrees on January 2 (compared with 9.7 in an average year) when the easing of a wintry atmospheric pressure pattern brought calm, fair weather. In Heian Jingu Shrine in Sakyo Ward, which is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to businesses, a huge crowd of people stretched from the shrine gate to the main sanctuary. Prayers such as, "may this year be a bright one," could be heard.

According to figures announced by the major shrines and temples in Kyoto City, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine had the largest number of visitors on January 1-2 with 2.01 million (compared with 2.07 million last year), followed by 0.60 million at Yasaka Shrine (0.58), and 0.35 million at Heian Jingu Shrine (0.29).