What’s New Years like in Japan?
January 21st, 2010
I know I’m a little late, but here’s the latest video on New Year traditions in Japan 
I think I’ve mentioned it many times already, but New Years here in Japan is a really big deal. It’s probably the biggest holiday of the year for the Japanese and it comes with a lot of traditions.
In this episode, I thought I would pass along some of the traditions (both modern and traditional) that I’ve encountered in my experiences here in Japan.
Enjoy!
Kevin
かっこ好い, Kevin!
Really like the man-made tree house you shot your video in. Great acoustics! Looks cozy, too!
Interesting how pastoral your “park videos” are compared to the more crowded and busy “urban videos” near train stations. Typical contrasts of what life is like in Sushiland.
Looks like you survived all the ぼねんかい parties in good fashion, しんねんかい がんばってね！
Great video of you making おもち! Very typical countryside Japanese home, with winter veggies growing in the garden. Rare to see もちつき these days. Always amazed how the two people making omochi have such a synchronized rhythm and speed to it and without any mangled hands. Noticed おばさん was a little nervous with your mallet work, Kevin. It took me a few New Year`s to get into eating omochi, being from Seattle it was unusual to me; but now I enjoy Traditional Japanese New Years food.
One New Year`s Tradition I always enjoy is kite flying (たこあげ). Cold, crisp and windy January days is a great time for wind-dancing as you can see from the many parents with children flying kites all over Japan. The park where you made this video looks like a great place to enjoy stunt-kites!
Looking forward to seeing the early spring plum blossoms (うめのはな) and later cherry blossoms (さくらのはな) at your local park, Kevin!
じゃまたね！
Hi Kevin,
I liked your New Years Video, and the tree house is amazing, did you find out the story behind it? I would like to hear it. Have a wonderful day.