Shogatsu is the Japanese New Year holiday, and it's celebrated from January 1st to January 3rd. During these three days, people have a blast participating in a variety of traditional customs and rituals.
New Year's Eve
On New Year's Eve, families come together to enjoy a delicious meal called toshikoshi soba. This special buckwheat noodle dish is believed to bring good luck for the upcoming year.
While munching on soba, everyone tunes in to watch exciting TV programs like Kohaku Uta Gassen, a popular music show. Many folks also visit shrines or temples to pray for good fortune in the coming year.
New Year's Day
When New Year's Day arrives, people head to shrines and temples to offer prayers for a fantastic year ahead. They also exchange gifts, like otoshidama, which is money given to kids by adults.
Families gather around a table filled with osechi, a traditional New Year's feast. Each dish in the feast has its own special meaning, making it extra exciting to eat.
Other New Year Traditions
In addition to eating and praying, there are a number of other traditional New Year activities in Japan. These include:
Mochi pounding
Mochi is a tasty rice cake that people eat during New Year. It's made by pounding sticky rice in a big wooden mortar. It's hard work, but totally worth it for the deliciousness.
Kadomatsu
Kadomatsu are decorations made of bamboo and pine. They're placed outside homes to ward off any evil spirits that might try to ruin the New Year fun. Bye-bye, bad vibes!
Hanami
Hanami is a Japanese tradition where people gather to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms. These lovely flowers bloom in the spring, and it's a super fun time to hang out with friends and family.
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