Sunday, January 1, 2023
Happy New Year
The year 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, also known as the Water Rabbit.
I sincerely hope that like the rabbit, the gates of winter will open, hope will sprout, and the warmth of spring will arrive.
New Year's Day Marathon
- Prayer:Good harvest, traffic safety, no accidents, and safety at home
- Co-organized by:Hokuryu Town Sports Association, JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch
- Sponsored by:Hokuryu Town Board of Education, JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch, Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
- Sponsor:Traffic Safety Association, Hokuryu Fire Department Union Fire Department Support Association, Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association
- Secretariat:JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch, etc.
New Year's Day Marathon35th (2018)Since then, the event has been co-sponsored by the Hokuryu Town Sports Association and the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch.
Visit and pray at Shinryu Shrine
As snow fell lightly, about 24 townspeople gathered at Shinryu Shrine at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 1st. After praying, the New Year's Day marathon began.
Everyone visits and prays
Everyone gathered at Shinryu Shrine and prayed for the early end of the epidemic, as well as for a good harvest, safe travels, no accidents, and safety in the home.
Greetings
The event was moderated by Arata Yuji, head of the Agriculture Division of the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch, and greetings were given by Kitakiyo Hirokuni, representative director of the Hokuryu District of JA Kitasorachi, and Sawada Masato, chairman of the Hokuryu Town Sports Association.
JA Kitasorachi, Kitakiyo Hirokuni, Representative Director of the Hokuryu District

"Today is a calm day. I hope that this year will be a calm one, that the rice harvest will be as good as last year's, and that traffic safety will be ensured. I hope that everyone stays healthy," said the Kitasei District Representative Director in his greeting.
Masato Sawada, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Sports Association
"Happy New Year everyone. As we welcome the new year, we have various events planned for the Japan Sports Association this year as well, so we hope you will participate," said Chairman Sawada in his greeting.
New Year's Day Marathon: Everyone starts at the same time wearing sashes!
After praying, we moved to the front of the Hokuryu Fire Department building, where we all put on yellow sashes for "traffic safety" and started off together!
We ran at our own pace through the snowy roads, returned to the front of the Hokuryu Fire Department, returned our sashes, received our participation prizes, and headed home in groups of two or three.
Participation Prize
Participants will receive a commemorative gift of 300g of "Yumepirika" rice with an illustration of AgriFighter North Dragon (provided by JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch) and Kurosengoku Kinako (provided by Kurosengoku Business Cooperative)!
With heartfelt gratitude to Shinryu Shrine, a ray of hope!
Over the three years of 2020 (Reiwa 2), 2021 (Reiwa 3), and 2022 (Reiwa 4), there is still no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is experiencing extreme weather, and society and politics are undergoing rapid change.
In these difficult times, I sincerely hope that you will light a light of hope in your hearts and have a wonderful new year filled with vitality and energy.

We look forward to your continued support this year!
January 1, 2023 New Year's Day 
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❂ The 39th New Year's Day Marathon 2022 [Cancelled] Visit Shinryu Shrine and pray for a bright new year!(January 1, 2022)
❂ The 38th New Year's Day Marathon 2021: Prayers for "good harvest, traffic safety, no accidents, and family safety"(January 4, 2021)
❂ The 37th New Year's Day Marathon 2020: Prayers for "good harvest, traffic safety, no accidents, and family safety"(January 4, 2020)
❂ The 36th New Year's Day Marathon 2019: Prayers for "good harvest, traffic safety, no accidents, and family safety"(January 7, 2019)
❂ The 35th New Year's Day Marathon 2018: Prayers for "good harvest, traffic safety, no accidents, and family safety"(January 2, 2018)
❂ The 35th New Year's Day Marathon 2018 will be held jointly by the Hokuryu Town Sports Association and the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch.(December 25, 2017)
❂ The 34th Hokuryu Town New Year's Day Marathon 2017, a prayer for good harvests and road safety, and a passionate message for the next generation(January 3, 2017)
❂ The 33rd Hokuryu Town New Year's Day Marathon 2016, a prayer for good harvests and safe traffic(January 4, 2016)
❂ The 32nd Hokuryu Town New Year's Day Marathon 2015, a prayer for good harvests and safe traffic(January 5, 2015)
❂ The 31st Hokuryu Town New Year's Day Marathon 2014, a prayer for good harvests and safe roads (January 6, 2014) Doushin Blog: Ended in 2018
❂ The 30th Hokuryu Town New Year's Day Marathon 2013, a prayer for good harvests and safe traffic (January 2, 2013)
◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi
