We would like to wish you a happy New Year and hope that 2024 will bring health and happiness to all. In Japan, it is traditional to visit a shrine – as typified by the red gates above (called tori) – and wish for a good year ahead. Good luck is also represented by breaking open the top of sake (Japanese rice wine) barrel and so a display as shown below is a common site at the start of a new year or for celebrations.
