2023 令和5年 新年あけましておめでとうございます。

I like to read the New Year cards sent to me. You can find out how people are doing from their cards. I think handwriting has more warmth than computers. 

I’ve made a New Year resolution every year. Seems like every year I break it. 

I like going to shrines on New Year's Day, but I hate dealing with the crowds. Just thinking about the crowds on the way home is depressing. 

I went to Emperial Palace. Reiwa Emperor was waving his hand through thick glass under tight security. I wore sticky hot pads under my jacket. It is a palm-sized pad. When shaken, it heats up through a chemical reaction.