new year foods

In the Land of the Rising Sun, as the final chimes of December fade and nature lifts a crisp January dawn, Japan wakes to a spectacle of tradition unlike any other. This is not merely the turning of a page on a calendar; it's Shōgatsu, the […]

There are many traditions around the world when the year ends. For Japan, one such tradition is eating toshikoshi soba, or “year-crossing noodles.” This simple dish holds a special place in the Japanese New Year celebration traditions as soba noodles bring good luck in longevity because […]

New Year is one of the most celebrated events in the world, and in Japan, it is also one of the oldest. For a country deeply rooted in culture, New Year celebrations come with traditions - the first shrine visit, the first sunrise viewing, and even […]

New year traditions here are ancient and meant to bring health, wealth, and a renewed spirit. Preparations for the new year start off with a practice called Omisoka, where everyone lends a hand in cleaning the house and cooking traditional foods for the osechi ryori in the last few days of the old year.