A large number of New Year celebrants visited shrines and temples in Kyoto on January 2 as the severe cold weather let up slightly and the sky occasionally cleared. Putting their hands together, they wished for economic recovery or their family's good health.

At Heian Jingu Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, where the top of Oten-mon gate still had the snow that fell at the end of last year, visitors gathered in front of the shrine's main hall, and prayed for a happy year in their own ways. Many also purchased lovely amulets and ornaments, featuring rabbits, which are the Oriental zodiac sign for this year.

According to figures announced by the major shrines and temples in Kyoto City, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine had the largest number of visitors over January 1-2 with 2.02 million, compared with 2.01 million last year. That was followed by 0.58 million at Yasaka Shrine, with 0.60 million last year, and 0.26 million at Heian Jingu Shrine, with 0.35 million last year, which was slightly less than last year.