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In Japan, it is customary for families to spend December 31 eating soba noodles together.
In addition, song programs featuring performances by the year’s most popular artists are broadcast.
At temples, bells are rung 108 times, the Buddhist equivalent of the number of troubles, and people listen to the ringing, reflect on the events of the year, and wait for the coming New Year.
Photo from: https://kids.rurubu.jp/article/117904/
Photo from: https://gift-manners.shaddy.jp/article/2908/
In Japan, there is a custom of eating a dish called osechi with the family on New Year’s Day.
The ingredients used in osechi have various meanings, such as prayers for the prosperity of offspring and a bountiful harvest, and are eaten while wishing for happiness and health in the new year.
Photo from: https://www.vmg.co.jp/restaurants/magazine/osechi/
In Japan, there is a custom called “Oshidama,” in which elders give money to their relatives’ children on New Year’s Day.
It is said that the custom originally started when the patriarch of the family gave round rice cakes to his family members to pray for good health and a bountiful harvest for the year ahead.
When the New Year arrives in Japan, people visit shrines and temples to pray for happiness in the coming year.
At shrines and temples, people drink amazake (sweet sake), draw omikuji (fortune cards) to test their luck for the year, write their wishes on ema (votive picture tablet), and pray for happiness in the new year.
Photo from: https://www.hoshimi.com/column/150hatsumoude/
Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/haru01/16401745445