The end of the year doesn’t need words — Asakusa shows it quietly

When I visited Senso-ji Temple on December 26, 2025,
I noticed several food stalls set up in places where there usually aren’t any.

They were most likely part of a year-end tradition,
appearing every year around this time.

Just as seeing people wearing heavy coats tells you
that it’s winter in Japan,
the presence of food stalls quietly signals
that the end of the year is approaching.

Seasons don’t always need to be explained with words.
Sometimes, you can understand them simply by observing
the atmosphere of a place and the way people behave.
That realization felt surprisingly interesting to me.

Takoyaki Was the Most Popular

There were many different kinds of food stalls,
but the one attracting the most attention was the takoyaki stand.

Personally, I thought the fruit candy stall next to it
would be more popular because of how photogenic it was.
But that wasn’t the case.

To be honest, if someone asked me,
“Which would you choose right now?”
I would also pick takoyaki without hesitation.

The reason was simple — it was very cold that day.

The highest temperature was 6°C.
There wasn’t much wind,
but when the temperature drops to around 5°C,
a scarf, gloves, and thermal wear become essential.

In weather like that,
warm takoyaki easily beats anything that looks good in photos.

Quietly Enjoying Hot Takoyaki

There was no designated eating area around the stalls,
so people sat quietly on nearby curbs,
enjoying their takoyaki.

That scene felt strangely nostalgic,
and I found myself reaching for my camera.

Photos designed purely to look good are fun,
but moments like this — capturing Asakusa as it truly is —
are what remind me why I’m glad to be a photographer.

Trash Goes in the Trash Bin

Near the stalls, there were simple trash bins made of cardboard.
Since the stalls were only temporary,
the trash bins were prepared in a practical, temporary way as well.

Not everything needs to be expensive or elaborate.
What matters is having what’s necessary,
in the right form, at the right time.

At Senso-ji, everything seems to have a purpose.
Being there feels like a quiet reminder
of what’s truly important —
as if the place itself carries a gentle, unseen power.