“En” is a kind of relationship with the
gods or Buddha, and “nichi” means a day. For example, the day when the god was
born became the en-nichi. We celebrate the day in a form of a fair or a
festival. It is said that we are given a lot of happiness and benefit from
deities if we go to shrines or temples on the en-nichi. Many people visit shrines
or temples on the en-nichi, therefore fair stalls are opened in front of the
shrines or temples. They sell candies, foods, drinks, toys, plants, charms and
talismans. Some of them became permanent restaurants or shops. Show tents are
also opened in the big en-nichi fair.
It
is a big entertainment especially for children to go to the en-nichi with their
parents, because parents buy things such as candies for their children. It is a
big fun for young people too, because the en-nichi is a good reason for guys to
invite girls especially at night.
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| En-nich at Ueno, Tokyo（上野辨天堂） |
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| Stalls in the temple on the New Year's visit day（川崎大師） |
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