Crowd control

A security guard holds a sign for visitors to Kawasaki Daishi temple in Kawasaki on Friday.

When just posting a sign is not enough.

You need the all-weather, 24-7, marching band uniform wearing ojiisan holding something or gesturing.

Surprised a helmet wasn't part of the uniform.

Such a ubiquitous Japanese scene.

Are there a lot of people running to join the crowd?

I avoid these massively crowded shrines during New Year's. There are so many other smaller ones that are much more pleasant and relaxing to visit.