'Lucky man race' held at Nishonomiya Shrine in western Japan

'Lucky man race' held at Nishonomiya Shrine in western Japan

NISHINOMIYA, Japan, Jan. 10 Kyodo - The top three finishers of a New Year race to pick a "Fuku-otoko" (lucky man) hold up framed Chinese characters and paintings, all suggesting luck, at Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2016. The 16-year-old Michinari Mizuta (C) became the year's "luckiest man" among about 6,000 participants, winning the 230-meter race from the shrine's gate to the main hall.

Top 3 'lucky man' race finishers hold up character, pictures

Top 3 'lucky man' race finishers hold up character, pictures

OSAKA, Japan - The top three finishers of an annual race to pick a "Fuku-otoko" (lucky man) raise a framed Chinese kanji character and paintings, all suggesting luck, at Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015. From R: runner-up Yuya Koike, winner Tomonori Shiwa and third-place Koki Ishida.

Winner of 'lucky man race' at Shinto shrine in west Japan

Winner of 'lucky man race' at Shinto shrine in west Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Tomonori Shiwa raises the Chinese kanji character "fuku" or luck in a frame as the winner of an annual race to pick a "Fuku-otoko" (lucky man) at Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015. He reached the main hall of the Shinto shrine ahead of other participants to be crowned the year's lucky man.

'Lucky man race' held at Shinto shrine in west Japan

'Lucky man race' held at Shinto shrine in west Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Participants dash as the gate opens for an annual race to pick a "Fuku-otoko" (lucky man) at Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015. The first man to reach the main hall of the Shinto shrine is crowned the year's lucky man.

'Lucky man race' held at Nishonomiya Shrine in western Japan

'Lucky man race' held at Nishonomiya Shrine in western Japan

Runners dash to the main hall of Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishionomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan on Jan. 10, 2016, as the gate opened for an annual race to pick a "Fuku-otoko" (lucky man). The first man to reach the main hall, roughly 230 meters away, is crowned the year's luckiest man. About 6,000 people took part in the annual event to pray for good business. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

'Lucky man race' held at Shinto shrine in west Japan

'Lucky man race' held at Shinto shrine in west Japan

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Participants dash as the gate opens for an annual race to pick a "Fuku-otoko" (lucky man) at Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015. The first man to reach the main hall of the Shinto shrine is crowned the year's lucky man. (Kyodo)

Annual 'lucky man race' at Japanese shrine

Annual 'lucky man race' at Japanese shrine

Runners sprint toward the main hall of Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan on Jan. 10, 2017, in an annual race to pick a "Fuku-otoko" (lucky man). Takashi Suzuki, a 21-year-old university student, was the first man to reach the main hall, roughly 230 meters away, and was crowned the year's luckiest man in the race run by about 5,000 people. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo