Japanese New Years Eve
December 31st is Japanese New Years Eve, or 'Omisoka'. This is one of the most important days on the Japanese calendar. A day that everything must be finished or wrapped up from the previous year in readiness for a brand new start on January 1st - Japanese New Year. The Japanese culture and tradition surrounding this date is centuries old and there are customs that are performed across Tokyo and Japan on this day.
Toshikoshi Noodles
Toshikoshi noodles are a type of soba noodle made from buckwheat. Toshikoshi is a traditional dish to eat on Japanese New Years Eve.
Toshikoshi, loosely translated, means 'leaving the old year and entering the new'. In modern times, many people eat these at any time on New Years Eve. Traditionally, however, they should be eaten at midnight - literally crossing into the New Year.
Why eat toshikoshi? The length of the noodles is a sign of longevity in Japanese culture. Eating them on Japanese New Years Eve is a wish for a long and healthy life.
108 Bells and Hatsumode
At midnight, Buddhist temples around Japan ring the tsura-gane bell 108 times. Buddhists believe that mankind has 108 serious sins. Ringing the bell 108 times at the end of the year is supposed to free us of those sins for the beginning of the New Year. Please don't ask me what the sins are as I really don't know!
Hatsumode is the first visit to a temple or shrine on January 1st, but many people arrive on New Years Eve. If you are in Japan for this occasion and want to join in the festivities, be prepared to queue! At major shrines people will travel for miles to celebrate Japanese New Years Eve. At Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, approximately 3 million people attend to see in the New Year.
Tourist Tips
We've already said it but... this is a busy time of year. Japanese people will travel across Japan to be with their family at this time. If you are planning a Tokyo vacation during this festival, book ahead and reserve seats. Other than that, just enjoy the atmosphere and celebrations at this unique New Year event.
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