Japan to greet New Year with shopping, prayers, 'Kohaku' and blizzards

National Dec. 31, 2012 - 05:00PM JST ( 19 )

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19 Comments

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Knox HarringtonDec. 31, 2012 - 04:01PM JST

It is on Japanese holidays my only stints of home sickness occur. I miss the relaxed atmosphere, with people only hanging out, not doing much. Too bad Japanese of today can't just take it easy, relax even one day but have to do something all the time when awake. Bargain shopping today is followed by fukubukuro shopping tomorrow, getting bags full of hideous leftovers...
7

zichiDec. 31, 2012 - 04:18PM JST

I won't be leaving my house for at least a week. We'll chill out, listen to loud music, watch some movies, drink some wine and sake and eat enough good food, Friends will come over to share our joys.
-3

kansaifunDec. 31, 2012 - 04:23PM JST

While I still can't believe any rational person would clean their whole house and\or business in the middle of winter, or rush to crowded shrines to pray for peace and prosperity, all in all Japan is a good place to unwind and celebrate the new year!
1

technosphereDec. 31, 2012 - 04:46PM JST

I won't be leaving my house for at least a week. We'll chill out, listen to loud music, watch some movies, drink some wine and sake and eat enough good food, Friends will come over to share our joys.

Most people in my country will do the same. Everyone likes to celebrate a New Year!.
0

hereforeverDec. 31, 2012 - 07:28PM JST

Sure let them all good out. Keeps my neighborhood nice and quite. Besides relaxing for the next few days now heading out to Billboard Live. You all have a happy and Safe New Years.
0

Pukey2Dec. 31, 2012 - 08:41PM JST

Knox:

Bargain shopping today

To be honest, bargain shopping takes place in most countries - the only difference between my home country and Japan is that in the former, there really are bargains. Food can be discounted by 80% before closing time. And I am NOT going to buy fukubukuro - it is risky buying a bag full of unknown stuff - especially clothing. No thank you. The only thing I miss about Japan right now is the service - here it's non-existent in many places - you wonder who the customer is. Post office staff are one of the worst. Japan knows the meaning of the word, service.

Happy New Year to everyone.
0

overchanDec. 31, 2012 - 09:00PM JST

Ill be cooking all day
0

badsey3Dec. 31, 2012 - 09:27PM JST

This is nice -but I want to see the real action on the streets. It's that time of year again Fukubukuro! (lucky bags).
-3

BurakuminDesDec. 31, 2012 - 09:52PM JST

All the best to fellow JTérs. I'm sorry that some of you have to spend this awesome time in Japan - it's never as fun there as in the old hometowns o/s! In Sydney now drinking icy cold beers wearing a t-shirt having just eaten a great BBQ! Happy New Year!
1

IshiwaraDec. 31, 2012 - 10:16PM JST

Watching Kohaku right now. Horikita Maki looks insanely beautiful.
-3

TamaramaDec. 31, 2012 - 10:18PM JST

I've come to JT because the family in law are glued to the Kohaku Uta Gassen and I can't fake it any more - what passes for talent hereabouts is a crime. Happy New Years to one and all though. Kampai!
0

HimajinDec. 31, 2012 - 10:43PM JST

We're watching Iron Chef, after boxing. I haven't watched Kouhaku in years......I'd better get my butt into the kitchen and start working on the soba!
-1

Ivan CoughanoffalotDec. 31, 2012 - 11:10PM JST

I tried being nice this year. I gave Kohaku a good fifteen minutes before a Bond film went on instead. How can so many people think such bilge is primetime entertainment?

Happy new year, all. It has to get better than this. Other nights, you're allowed to turn the telly off.
1

yabitsJan. 01, 2013 - 12:13AM JST

Happy New Year to everyone!
2

alliswellinjapanJan. 01, 2013 - 01:34AM JST

It is a good tradition and hope it continues. That's what I feel about James Bond movies, and I also feel the same about Kohaku. Agree some of the talent may not suit all tastes including mine and it's probably not that everyone has their eyes glued to this event as if it were over 30 years ago without frequently checking other channels or mainly doing other things, but still Omisoka cannot be the same without it.
2

Atsuko ItakuraJan. 01, 2013 - 03:42AM JST

We're so busy on New Year's Eve and New Year's day.

On New Year's Eve, we have to finish cleaning up our whole houses.We watch "Kohaku" and take a look back on the year.We eat "Toshikoshi Soba" before next year comes(It varies person to person when to eat it.)

On New Year's day, we eat "Osechi" and "Ozoni"(It inculde rice cakes.).Children get "Otoshidama"(money). Some go to temple to pray for the year and others go to the sale.
-1

JaymannJan. 01, 2013 - 05:37AM JST

I used to hate NYs in Japan... I miss a BBQ in the sun and drinking and dancing the NY in.... I can't stand mochi, the cold or the bloody tv on the biggest party day of the year.
0

badsey3Jan. 01, 2013 - 11:02AM JST

And I am NOT going to buy fukubukuro - it is risky buying a bag full of unknown stuff - especially clothing. No thank you

-you are missing the whole point of fukubukuro. It is the after-sale trading outside that is important. I personally enjoy the inexperienced young woman that gets stuck with all the odd style clothing that no one wanted (traded away). =Just seeing her face with all those odd clothes is certainly worth waiting a year.

Apple fuku:
http://www.apple.com/jp/retail (33,000Y)
-2

AristomanJan. 01, 2013 - 08:51PM JST

I'm very very sorry to say that jp tv absolutely sucks for me personaly on new year and I get depression from it. The best way is to stay away from Tv and specially NHK.