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Happy New Years!!

Since we just kicked off a brand new year, we will introduce our unique way to spend Oshogatsu.

The way people celebrate New Years varies by country and is influenced by factors such as calendars, religion, and culture.

We, Japanese people tend to follow these unique customs.

  • Hatsumoude (初詣)

A tradition of visiting a temple or a shrine for the first time in the New Year. We normally express our gratitude for the past year and making prayers and wishes for an another good year ahead.

 

★Try “Omikuji( fortune slip)” when you go visit a shrine or a temple.  It shows you an advice on how to improve your life in the future based on the luck you pick/withdraw.

 

Normally, many food vendors are set up, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of food while they visit the temple/shrine. My favorite is “chocolate covered banana (choko-banana)” and “baked potato with butter (Jyaga-butter).
  • Hatsuhinode (初日の出)

This means “the sunrise on New Year’s Day”. Many people decide their new year’s resolution at Hatsu-hinode and kick their new year off good J

 

  • Osechi (御節料理)

Osechi is a Japanese traditional dish for New Years. Various types of food are packed together in a single tiered bento box (jyubako), creating a visually stunning looking . Each dish carries a special meaning, celebrating the New Year and wishing for the health and prosperity of the family ☺️

Personally like “Ozoni (お雑煮)” which is also a Japanese traditional dish for New Years made of mochi & vegetables (our family uses daikon radish & carrot) cooked in soup. It is so tasty especially in a cold winter day!!

 

What do you do on New Year’s Day?
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