Japanese new year

New Years is the most festive time of the year in Japan. It’s similar to Christmas in America. I enjoyed sending out Nengajyou (Japanese New Year’s post cards) to my friends, helping my mom cook Osechi (traditional Japanese new year foods) and of course we stayed up watching レコード大賞 (Japan Record Award) and 紅白歌合戦 (Kohaku Uta Gassen which is an annual music show on New Year’s Eve air on NHK) followed by eating Year-passing soba with family. January 1st was my favorite time of the year as a kid because my relatives and grand parents gave us Otoshidama (Money given to children). New Year is the best time of the year especially for Japanese kids!

I don’t mind actually spending time with my friends here in America for Christmas then fly to Japan for the New Year’s celebration..I just love the New Year’s atmosphere in Japan. So here, I want to share the pictures of traditional Japanese foods that I used to share with my family when I lived in Japan. 🙂

Toshikoshi Soba

Osechi