🇬🇧 English translation follows the Japanese text below.

あけましておめでとうございます。2026年もThe Headquarters Kobeをよろしくお願いします。年末年始、実家に帰る人もいれば、ハウスに残るメンバーも。この日はハウス組で集まって、書き初めと初詣でお正月らしい一日を過ごしました。

まずは書き初めから

墨と半紙を広げて、今年の抱負を一枚ずつ。真剣に筆を走らせる人、勢いで書き上げる人、それぞれの2026年が半紙に並びました。日本の書き初めが初めての海外メンバーも、筆の感触を楽しんでいました。

近くの神社へ初詣

日が暮れてから、みんなで近所の神社へ初詣に。ろうそくの灯りに照らされながら、一年の無事をお祈りしました。

おみくじの結果は…?

お参りのあとはお楽しみのおみくじ。「大吉だった!」「うーん…」と、結果を見せ合ってひとしきり盛り上がりました。

帰りは商店街で食べ歩き

ハウスのお膝元・水道筋商店街を通って帰り道。屋台や露店をのぞきながら、あつあつの食べ物を片手に食べ歩き。年始から神戸の下町情緒を満喫しました。

今年もいろいろ、一緒に

書き初めも初詣も、誰かと一緒だから楽しい。The Headquarters Kobeでは、こんな季節の行事もハウスのみんなでゆるく楽しんでいます。神戸で新生活を考えている方は、ぜひお部屋と家賃ものぞいてみてください。今年もよい一年になりますように。

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Happy New Year! We hope you’ll continue to enjoy The Headquarters Kobe throughout 2026. Over the New Year holidays, some members headed home to spend time with family, while others stayed at the house. Those of us who stayed got together for a proper New Year’s Day: writing our first calligraphy of the year and paying a visit to a nearby shrine.

First up: New Year calligraphy

We rolled out the ink and rice paper and each wrote down our hopes for the year ahead. Some members took their time, brush in careful hand, while others went for it in one bold stroke — and just like that, 2026’s wishes lined up across the paper. Even the members trying kakizome (New Year calligraphy) for the first time got into the feel of the brush.

An evening visit to the neighborhood shrine

Once the sun went down, we all headed to a nearby shrine for hatsumode, the year’s first shrine visit. Lit by candlelight, we prayed for a safe and happy year ahead.

What did the fortunes say?

After paying our respects, it was time for the fun part — drawing omikuji fortunes. “I got the best one, daikichi!” “Hmm… not so great.” We compared results and had a good laugh over it.

Street food on the way home

On the walk back, we wound through Suidosuji, the shopping street right on the house’s doorstep, stopping at the stalls for something hot to eat along the way. A great dose of Kobe’s old-town charm to kick off the new year.

Another year of doing things together

Whether it’s writing calligraphy or visiting a shrine, it’s always more fun with company. At The Headquarters Kobe, we like to mark these seasonal traditions together, in our own easygoing way. If you’re thinking about starting a new life in Kobe, come take a look at our rooms and rent. Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead.