My name is Tanaka, and I am the director/coder of the Coding Factory.
Every year on the first day of work at Monosus, volunteers gather to make their first visit of the year to Meiji Shrine, which is a 20-minute walk from the company.
In previous years, our representative, Hayashi, has taken the lead, but this year things were a little different.
The annual first visit to the shrine.
But then...
Surprisingly, Hayashi has been absent since morning!
Hayashi is usually away on business trips or for meetings, but this year he seems to have been very busy since the beginning of the year.
"So what are you going to do?"
I feel awkward if I don't visit the shrine on this day, so I definitely want to go.
"But going to the shrine without the president being there is a bit..."
A mood of "Maybe this year's event will be canceled..." was beginning to spread among employees, and I was about to give up on one of the events I was looking forward to.
The person who appeared in a dashing manner was Nakaniwa, the editor-in-chief of the Monosasu site.
"I've decided to visit the shrine for the first time in the new year. Do you want to come with me?"
Surprisingly, the head of the production department, Manabe, suggested that the group volunteer to go.
At times like these, Monosus employees take the initiative and say, "Let's go after all!" - that's what makes them Monosus-like.
These were words I couldn't resist saying and I immediately agreed.
Still, I need to emulate this DIY spirit.
Let's go to Meiji Shrine
The maximum temperature on this day was over 15 degrees. In unexpectedly warm weather, we all headed to our destination.
At 12:00 noon, Monosus employees gathered in the courtyard of the company building and headed toward Meiji Shrine.
Everyone walks at their own pace, enjoying conversations with people they haven't seen in a long time.
Therefore, they are always in pieces by the time they reach their destination.
Attracted by the delicious smell, we impulsively bought some baby castella cakes at the stall in front of the shrine entrance (they even gave us a freebie, thank you to the shopkeeper!) Tanaka (left) and Kakarai from the Creative Department. We Monosus girls have a special stomach for sweets.
We first gather at the entrance and then head into the temple grounds.
They teach each other how to wash their hands.
Even after the New Year holidays are over, the line is still long!
The grounds were filled with people as far as the eye could see! Just as you would expect from Meiji Shrine.
One of the employees said, "Aren't there more people here than last year?" but I feel like they say the same thing every year.
The offering for Creative Department member Kakarai is two shiny 5 yen coins. It is said to mean "May you have many good fortunes."
This is Matsubara from the Coding Factory. "111 yen" is "Great!" It's a typical Matsubara idea that makes you chuckle.
Matsushima from the Check Team prays earnestly. She looks just like a real Buddhist monk. What is she praying for?
"Because gods cannot identify each individual person, it's best to tell them your name and address before you make a request," I was advised, so I desperately tried to remember the address. I prayed for good health and no illness, so that I could always do my best.
Every year, I feel motivated when I read the "Oomikuji" fortune slips from Meiji Shrine. This year, the fortune I received was "Ganagematsu." I treasure it and display it on my desk.
After lining up properly, throwing in our offerings, and praying, we took a group photo and then disbanded.
After this, we drew fortune slips and bought charms. We all enjoyed our first visit to the shrine in our own way, but it was just lunchtime. Having walked all the way from the office, we were feeling hungry.
Enjoying the first shrine visit of the year: food stall time
It's going to be a big success again this year!
Another fun thing about New Year's visits to shrines is "yatai time."
Within the Meiji Shrine grounds, there are a variety of food stalls lined up in the dining area for visitors!
For someone like me who loves food more than anything else, it's a paradise.
It seems that the other employees also enjoy this time, and while they are worried about their work in the afternoon, they are busy running around saying, "I want to eat this! I want to eat that!"
The fried takoyaki looked delicious! There were also many other delicious and warming dishes on the menu, such as red bean soup, steamed meat buns, and ramen.
The food and conversation flow in a festival-like atmosphere.
Hatakeyama from the sales department always looks great when the camera is pointed at him. He also looks good drinking tea!
As expected of a self-proclaimed foodie, he showed off his skills by eating every last dish on the food stalls.
We talked a lot and our bellies are full.
By the time I return home, I notice that a certain feeling naturally arises within me.
Another year here, with these people.
Let's work hard and do our best!
If the beginning is good, all is well.
We are going to make this year another fruitful one.
I was so engrossed in eating the grilled salted sweetfish that I ended up in a rather strange pose.
They say that the plan for the year is made on New Year's Day.
If that's the case, then surely the plan for your work for the year should be decided at the beginning of the work.
As with regular projects, the beginning is the most important part of anything.
If you prepare well from the beginning, you will be able to deal with minor problems as they arise.
By making this first visit to the shrine on this important day at the beginning of the year, I am reminded that I am a member of Monosus, and I can see what the ``roots'' of my work are like in the future and think about what I should do.
Be sure to "prepare for work" properly.
All's well that begins well, right?
We will continue to work hard this year as well.
Thank you for your cooperation.
TANAKA Natsumi