Happy New Year! New Years in Yokohama, Japan.

Happy New Year! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! 

I hope that the year 2014 will be an year full of great fortune! 

I've been spending the last few days of December in Japan. Will be heading back to San Francisco in a few days. 
New Years in  Japan is always wonderful during the New Years as it is spent eating great food with family and most of all, it's the week I feel most proud to be Japanese. Visits to shrines are always fun. 

Revisiting Japanese traditions are something to treasure, always.

"Toshi Koshi Soba" - Soba which you eat on New Years Eve or New Years Day! To wish for a "long" life...Just like buckwheat noodles.

"Osechi" - Boxes packed with foods wishing for luck and prosperity for the New Year. Each dish usually has a meaning. Our family usually pre-orders at a department store but some families make their very own boxes! 

Our family eats this the morning/lunch of New Years Day and will finish it in the next day or two.

Click *Read More* to see more... :)  

First visit to the shrine/temple on New Years Day. A very popular tradition even for those who are not religious.

What to throw when you get to the shrine? Of course, any coin...But I like to throw the 5 yen (go-en) because "go-en" also means good luck! 

"Omikuji" - You can pick out your fortune for the New Year. People like to tie it up after reading their fortune.

"O-zoni" - Soup with mochi and veggies. Usually eaten on the morning of New Years. Mochi used to be eaten on special occasions. In this case, mochi is made for the god of the Year. When the new year arrives, people would cook the mochi and eat it with the fresh vegetables of the region. A special Japanese custom which hopes for safety and prosperity!

More blog posts coming up! 

Thank you always,
jpinsider

P.S. Love Soba!

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