Winter Socks

I wonder what these are for? To protect against cold, or some kind of animal as the upper part suggests, or maybe both? Shot at the at the Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine, formerly known at the Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja (北口本宮冨士浅間神社 or North Entrance Fuji Sengen Shrine).

Edit – got an answer from Dr. Kubota : “That’s komo-maki, which is supposed to get rid of insects killing the pine tree. But recent research showed the means doesn’t really get rid of them so nowadays, that’s just a new year decoration” !