One of the main events in November for shrines nationwide is the "shichi-go-san" festival that can last the entire month. Girls aged seven (shichi) and three (san) and boys aged five (go) are dressed in kimono or other finery and brought to shrines for a short ritual blessing, followed by photos and bags of goodies. Shrines usually charge around 4-5,000 yen per child but provide an occasion that is memorable and deeply embedded in the cultural identity of many Japanese. More on this event can be found in both my books, mentioned earlier.
All photos and text © Copyright John K. Nelson, 1999