初詣 (Wishing a good year)

正月も明けてもう５日が過ぎてましたが、近所の神社に初詣に行きました。
テレビによると、７日（所によると１５日）までは神様がいるそうで、
その間に初詣に行けばいいようです。

願い事は「今年（こそ）は良い年でありますように」程度で、
まぁ一応行っておかないと、という感じですね、ここ最近。

年末に『神道は宗教ではない』と言う議論をちょっとしたんですが、
実際のところはどうなんでしょう？どなたか知ってます？^^;

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Although 5 days had already passed this year,
I visited the closest shrine from my home to wish a good year.
It is a custom in Japan to visit shrine and wish good things happen on us.
People usually believe that we should visit the shrine within 3 days
after the new year comes, but we can do so within 7 days (or 15 days)
according to the news programs.
(It means that the god is still down to the earth during 7 days.)

I wished that this year would become a good one for me (as usual).
To tell the truth, I'm not so serious that I just continue to visit there
just because it is the custom in Japan...

Anyway, I discussed with my friend at the end of last year
whether "Shinto" is a kind of religion or not.
I believe that it is not, but if you know the truth, please let me know...