On the 20th of March was Shunbun no Hi, Vernal Equinox Day and is the sixth seasons of the 24 seasons in Japan. When it started and what do people eat on this day?

The 3rd of February is Setsubun in Japan. Evil masks and dried soy beans are sold in many supermarkets. There are three things people do on this day for good luck.

Daikan is the coldest season of the year and is one of the 24 Seasons Japanese and Chinese people have been using to describe the small changes of the season.

I was at the Japanese breakfast market in Berlin a few weeks ago and it was kind of disappointing as a Japanese. Why it´s always so crowded and expensive for such a small amount?

Gion-matsuri is one of the most important festivals in Japan. The name itself is very famous. But who knew it lasts for a month? What do they do?

3rd of March is Momo no Sekku, also called Hinamatsuri. It´s the Girls´ Day. The houses are decorated pretty Hina dolls and plum flowers.

Happy New Year!! How did you spend the New Year´s Eve? This year I decided to join the celebration on the street, which means buying tons of rocket fireworks and shoot them up over one hour. My Vietnamese neighbour was so serious about this and had bought a car wheel sized firecrackers from their country. Of course, no one could win them. 

Oshogatsu (お正月/ New Year) is one of the most important events in Japan. Although things have become normal, people are still in the New Year feeling. All I want to say is, I´m not so late to tell you "Happy New Year!!". 2015 is a year of sheep. We will see, what sort of adventures it will bring us. Or perhaps you may have a good plan for the year. Have you decided any New Year resolution? Me? I like to visit as many friends as possible. They are spread all ove the world but I like to try to see them. Now, what´s yours?

 

Osechi ryouri (おせち料理) is the traditional dish Japanese people eat during the New Year. Like the turkey during the Christmas in the western world, Japanese eat osechi every day for the first few days of the New Year. The reason behind is to make women rest from cooking. Most of osechi is eaten cold and the rest of the typical foods are very easy to cook. You can either just re-heat or bake it on the stove like mochi (もち/ rice cakes). 

Although many houses buy it from a supermarket or a famous restaurant, still there are families who cook their own osechi. People upload their homemade osechi to their blogs. I love to see them because each family has their own style. Also it changes in the different regions, which is even more interesting. 

One thing is common. During Oshogatsu, the family sits at the kotatsu (炬燵) and eat osechi while watching university ekiden (駅伝). If you have a Japanese friend in Japan, it´d be interesting for you to spend one New Year with them. I´m sure you will have a great experience.

   

So let´s peek some families to see what kind of osechi ryouri they have eaten this year. Are there anything common? There are as many types of osechi as the number of the families. 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a while, people get tired of eating osechi, just like you may get tired of turkey and cranberry sauce after the Christmas. This family made a new plate using the left over from the osechi box. Looks good.  

 

 

And of course exists "Kyara Osechi (キャラおせち)". Sheep oinari are cute. 

 

 

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More about the New Year and the foods

Shogatsu

New Year decorations

Osechi ryori

Porridge day

Seijin no hi

 Akemashite omedetou

Happy New Year in Tokyo

The time is ticking. The year 2014 is about to end. How was your year? Japan is ready to receive the New Year with all the decoration. Wish you a Happy New Year!

Halloween is a big thing in Japan too. There were full of people in the costumes on the streets and a lot of parties were held.

A German filmmaker, Fritz Schumman focuses on Japan´s serious problem, Kasoka (depopulation) and made a documentary, “Valley of Dolls” captured a village where more dolls than the habitants.