Japanese New Year

moe January 17, 2018

Japanese New Year “Oshogatsu”.

First visit to Shrine

Everyone, A Happy New Year 2018!!
Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu!
New year’s holidays were over quickly and now it’s already middle of January.
How fast it is!
How was your new year’s holidays ?

Generally speaking, we have new year’s holidays from 28th December to 3rd January, though it depends on companies you are working for.
This time, we would like to introduce you about how we cerebrate new year here!

How to spend new year holidays in Japan.

In Japan, we do our “Spring cleaning” at the end of year.
This major house cleaning is thought as a ritual to give a pleasant welcome to God on New Year’s Day.

After the cleaning, we will be busy for preparing Oshogatsu “New Year”.
In case of our family, we will do Mochi(rice cake) pounding called “Mochi-tsuki”  to prepare Mochi we will eat on New years day.

Mochi tsuki

This is one of a big/tough event for us but the mochi we usually make is so tasty compare to the one on the market:)
Normally we eat this as Ozoni, which is similar to miso soup but has mochi in it.
The style and taste of “ozouni” differ across the regions in Japan.

Our Ozoni
Our Ozoni

First visit to shrine

Many people go to shrines to make wishes for the coming year.
This event is called “hatsumoude”.

Hatsumode
Hatsumode

We went to Shimogamo Shrine for Hatsumode this year.
2018 is the year of dog in twelve animal sign so that the huge painting was decorated there.

dog year
dog year

What did you make a wish for this year?
We hope all of you will have a great 2018 year!

Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine

How about your new years holiday?
Actually Oshogatsu is one of the biggest events for Japanese,
so that there are too many customs/things to do on new year’s holiday.
That’s why we cannot introduce you all of them this time only!
Hopefully we can show you this another time and
of course please visit Kyoto to enjoy your Oshogatsu if you have never experienced it!
We are looking forward to welcoming you.

Kyoto Knot

Kyoto Knot Vacation House*********************************************************
-Vacation rental style Japanese traditional house-
Tel: +819023838878
Mail: info@kyotoknot.com
www.kyotoknot.com
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