Take a deep breath and take off your shoes. At Oahu’s Buddhist temples you'll be welcomed by incense, a spirit of peace, and beautiful Asian architecture and art.
Enter the torii gate of the exquisite, small Izumo Taishakyo Mission Shrine on River Street in Chinatown. There’s not a single nail in this classic structure. Wash your hands before entering in a symbolic physical and spiritual cleansing. Beginning at midnight on the first day of the year, hundreds visit this Shinto shrine for “hatsumoude,” the traditional Japanese New Year’s Day cleansing and blessing.
