Tag Archives: omisoka

japan custom

In Japan, 31st Dec. is called 『Omisoka』.
Omisoka means the last day of the year.
Most Japanese finish preparations for the New Year by Omisoka
including a very thorough end of the year housecleaning.
Then families gather to greet the New Year!

On New Year’s Eve midnight, at temples ring the bell.
This is called 『joya-no-kane』
jyoya no kane
The bell is rang 108 times because There are 108 of these desires.

Also, we eat 『SOBA 』 noodles with listening the bell.
toshikoshi soba
And then people visit shrines,temples late at night to greet the New Year.
hatsumoude
This is the traditional style of New Year’s Eve in Japan.

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