An elderly couple arrives at the Shinto Meiji Shrine to pray on the first day of the new year in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A woman ties a piece of paper to a string as part of a Shinto ritual on the first day of the new year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A police officer holds a sign asking visitors to wait as they line up to pray on the first day of the new year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A girl prays on the first day of the new year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

People line up to pray on the first day of the new year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

People pray for the upcoming year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

People pray for the upcoming year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A shrine attendant collects offerings as people pray on the first day of the new year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

People pray and throw offerings for the upcoming year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A woman and a girl in kimonos pray on the first day of the New Year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A woman and a girl in kimonos pray on the first day of the New Year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

People pray and throw offerings for the new year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A woman wears a kimono as she prays on the first day of the new year at the Shinto Meiji Shrine in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

People arrive at the Shinto Meiji Shrine to pray on the first day of the new year in Tokyo January 1, 2015. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

Men ride on a “mikoshi” or portable shrine as local people carry it into the sea during a festival to wish peace in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)

Men ride on a “mikoshi” or portable shrine as local people carry it into the sea during a festival to wish for calm waters in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)

Men ride on a “mikoshi” or portable shrine as local people carry it into the sea during a festival to wish for calm waters in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)

Participants wearing the traditional "fundoshi" or loincloth carry a “mikoshi” or portable shrine as they carry it into the sea during a festival to wish for calm waters in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)

Man balances as he rides on a “mikoshi” or portable shrine as local people carry it into the sea during a festival to wish for calm waters in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)

Women riding on a “mikoshi” or portable shrine cheer on carriers as they carry the shrine into the sea during a festival to wish for calm waters in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)

A man tries to balance on a “mikoshi” or portable shrine as it falls into the sea during a festival to wish for calm waters in the ocean and good fortune in the new year in Oiso, west of Tokyo, January 1, 2015. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters)