We explored a different part of our neighborhood and ended up on top of a hill in Komatsushima. They are sealed bags that are sold at a set price in many shops across Japan, from Starbucks to Isetan. Omisoka is New Year’s Eve, and is the second most important day in the Shinto calendar as it is the last day of the year and all about letting go of the previous year.

You can get ready-made Osechi-Ryori from many stores here in Sendai.

If you would like to join us for a tour to Discover Sendai, please feel free to contact us for rates and availability. Kagamimochi are placed in the tokonoma, or sacred alcove, and offered at a Shinto altar inside Japanese homes. Having a dream and being able to make it come true is the best feeling ever. Another type of Oshogatsu decoration are Shimekazari. The Japanese New Year might not go off with a bang, more like 108 chimes of a temple bell, but there are plenty of traditions and Japanese New Year foods that you can get stuck into and try if you are spending the winter holidays in Japan. Toshigami is said to bring families good luck and good health for the coming year, but before they can visit, preparations must be done. She has visited 49 countries and counting and enjoys eating her way around the world trying unique foods that are specific to each country and region she visits. And soon, we could see the glowing outline marking the spot where the sun would rise above the clouds. In contrast to many Western countries, New Year’s in Japan is chiefly a family occasion, and full of symbolism in the dishes eaten, the decorations that adorn houses and neighbourhoods, and the 108 chimes of the temple bells at midnight, each tolling with a discrete meaning. Thanks. And we prayed that the deities would provide them with guidance and good fortune. Living in the Age of Corona – CokoGuri and the New Lifestyle, What Many People Don’t Know About Coffee Culture in Japan, Setsubun, the Bean Throwing Festival at Toshogu Shrine, We Visit the Osaki Hachimangu Dontosai Festival in Sendai, 5 Reasons Japan is a Budget Traveler’s Dream, We Take a Loop through Dainohara Shinrin Koen, We Discover a Sidewalk Dumpling Shop in Kokubuncho, Breakfast at the Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market, Sakura and Hanami at Tsutsujigaoka Park in Sendai, Matsushima Bay – One of Japan’s Most Scenic Views, Takeshita-Dori, Tokyo’s Famous Fashion Street, Clap your hands twice to announce your presence to the deity. This sojourn would fall over Oshogatsu, the week-long New Year’s holiday. Osechi Ryori is a central part of Oshogatsu, and you spend a great deal of your day eating. We were especially surprised at how many young people were in the crowd. Often they include food vendors and those that sell Omikuji or fortune-telling strips of paper to wish for prosperity, good health, luck for exams, and even love. The rice cakes come in all forms, sizes and colors and many shops showing how it’s made with the enormous hammers and assistant flipping it over in sync. Adults, children, and even small dogs patiently awaited their turn to pray to the deities and make the appropriate offerings. I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. (prawn or shrimp), symbolizes longevity as their antennae look a bit like a beard so they are put on a plate to represent a long life until you have a bent back and long beard. And we were told that on New Year’s Day, many people climb up to this spot to witness the sunrise. It’s done in order to welcome Toshigami, the Shinto deity of the New Year. This is because when written with different kanji, it means “over generations” which represents a wish for prosperity for ancestors over generations. Thank you for payment. What exactly you eat as part of your Osechi Ryori is pretty much up to your own personal tastes. Japanese decorate the front doors of their homes and businesses with Shimekazari to ward off evil spirits and invite the Toshigami to visit and bless the home or business with good fortune. As I already mentioned, New Year’s Eve is not a holiday in Japan, and it is not part of Oshogatsu in that sense. The celebrations are probably a lot different from those you have in your home country and typically last from. The experience was definitely worth being a little sleep-deprived and braving the freezing cold. is one of the most popular shrines that people visit as it’s known as a “power spot” and if you visit the day before, you can get an idea of the numbers they are expecting by the size of the offering boxes. The new year will be rung in 108 times, once for each of the worldly desires, and this typically happens in Buddhist temples, starting in the old year and finishing exactly as the clock strikes twelve.

Things got busier as we reached the entrance to Toshogu Shrine just before midnight. Here in Japan, New Year’s is a family holiday. Even better, I get to do all of this with Coco, the most awesome life and travel partner ever! Mochi have always been considered a sacred food in Japan. The extra-long noodles are supposed to give you a long life, and who wouldn’t want that? Japan loves to keep it old school (they still use fax) and sending out handwritten New Year’s cards (known as, ) is a Japanese New Year tradition, with cards going on sale from October. Osechi ryori is a traditional Japanese food that is eaten in the New Year.

Fuku means luck, fukuro or bukuro means bag. Think of it as our Black Friday; it is the biggest shopping day of the year in Japan. The bags contain various goodies from the store and the contents would usually cost more if you were to buy each item separately.

Each food item in the osechi represents a different wish for the new year. Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the year, and many Japanese people visit at midnight on January 1st, and if not then, often by January 3rd. is a mochi soup that’s eaten on New Year’s Day in Japan. However, in rural Japan, villagers continue to follow the lunar calendar and Oshogatsu is the Lunar New Year. Make sure you finish every last bit, as leaving some behind could mean a continuation of bad luck into the new year. An essential part of a traditional Japanese New Year is to remember your ancestors. People will line up for hours in order to pay their first respects and prayers of the year, wishing for good fortune and luck. As part of a traditional Japanese New Year, it is essential to visit a shrine during the first three days of the year. Now we were off to greet the first sunrise of the new year. Pine is a symbol of longevity, and it is said that the gods descend to it. The single most important holiday in Japan is undoubtedly Oshogatsu. The dusky orange hues started to take on a golden hue. Coco and I look forward to making this a regular part of how we celebrate Oshogatsu. This is because the buckwheat noodles are considered to be propitious and a way of letting go of the past year. Of course, we finished Osechi Ryori with a bowl of Ozoni or vegetable soup with Mochi. , a rice straw rope decoration, which results in purification. Family Friendly, Japanese Holidays, Oshogatsu, Shinto. Visit a Temple or Shrine (Hatsumode) on January 1st. Since Japan adopted the solar calendar in 1873, the New Year celebrations start on January 1. By doing so, we not only honored ancient traditions; we also felt closer to their spirits for the holidays. We are both firm believers in Shintoism.

Oshogatsu, or a traditional Japanese New Year, is rooted in ancient Shinto traditions and rituals. Talk about a thorough cleaning! The recipients of these cards are typically family, friends and sometimes even businesses. Therefore, it is essential to bow to the first rising sun of the new year. Rich in religious tradition, Japanese New Year is a time to be thankful the current year ended safely and to invite luck and success for the next. They are sealed bags that are sold at a set price in many shops across Japan, from Starbucks to Isetan. By offering the meal to the deity first, who will then share it with you, you will have a fruitful year ahead!


As a result, shops and especially the Asaichi Market or packed with shoppers picking up the last ingredients. Many soba shops will sell bowls that are labeled. is a decorative mochi, and often translated as a mirror rice cake, despite not looking like a mirror.

Ozoni is a mochi soup that’s eaten on New Year’s Day in Japan. We frequently visit them to make offerings and say a prayer. When Coco and I were out on Christmas Day, we noticed shop clerks taking down the decorations from shelves and displays.

Much of Sendai was spread below us. And walking home that evening, we saw crews stripping off the Christmas banners from buildings in downtown Sendai. Many like to have their fortune told by buying a fortune slip, known as omikuji and protection charms, known as omamori. More were arriving by the minute. Visitors bring back the last year talismans to be burnt in the shrines and buy some new ones. Your payment status showing payment . Let me fill you in on some of the details and tell you how Coco and I celebrated a traditional Japanese New Year. Leaving it to the last moment is not recommended either, which means many people decorate on December 28. This is especially important during the New Year’s period, when the Toshigami, or New Year’s Gods, come to visit earth.
Mirrors in Japan used to be round in shape and were used for important Shinto rituals as they were thought to be a place where gods reside. This Japanese food tradition is said to have started in the Heian Era, all the way back in 794! Doors are adorned with traditional New Year’s shimekazari, a rice straw rope decoration, which results in purification. From a massive slab of tuna to seafood and mushroom nabe, and Coco’s pork marinated in Miso paste, we had a whole range of delicacies. It’s done in order to welcome Toshigami, the Shinto deity of the New Year. Omisoka is also the last day for preparations for Osechi Ryori, the traditional New Year’s Day feast.

This is when you get together with family and friends to pray for good fortunes. One of the core beliefs of Shintoism is that the deities are all around us and have a direct bearing on our fortunes.