Things to do in Winter

Winter in Japan has a lot of events from Christmas to New Year. In Japan, new year is the biggest event in a year. In new years holidays, all the families and relatives get together and spend time together. This is one of the longest break in a year. 

Japanese New Years Cultures

Osechi (おせち) 

Osechi is the traditional meal that is only prepared in New Year. All of the ingredients in Osechi are well-meaning because Osechi is eaten to pray for good health and great harvest for a year. For example, black beans are eaten to encourage work and academic achievement. As for shrimp, because the shape of the shrimp is like an old man, people eat them to pray for longevity.

Otoshi-dama (お年玉)

On New Year, Japanese children receive gifts of money packed with little envelops known as “Otoshidama”. Otoshidama is given to children by adult relatives such as uncles, aunts and grandparent. Otoshidama is one of the exciting traditions of New Year, which children look forward to very much. Children generally use the money to buy the toys they want. The remainder is saved by their parents for the child's future.

Nengajyo (年賀状)

People send each other New Year’s cards called “nengajyo”. This is usually designed with symbols of good luck or the animal of the year out of the 12 animals in the Chinese astrological calendar. Young generations these days are not likely to write the cards, it is still one of the important customs in new years. 

Hatsumoude (初詣)

Many people go to shrines to make wishes for the coming year. This event is called “hatsumoude". At midnight of new year's eve, shrines are so crowded with those people who is waiting for make wish as soon as the new year starts.   

Activities

Skiing

There is a place to ride on ski in mt. Rokko. In Rokkosan Snow Park, you could enjoy skiing, snowboarding and snow playing. Although they do not have natural snow it is easy way to enjoy winter sports.

Illuminations

①Kobe Luminarie

In Kobe, there are a lot of illumination spots that are worth to visit. One of the best spots you should visit is Kobe Luminarie. Kobe Luminarie is an annual winter light-up held in memory of the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Now running for over 20 years, the event takes place in the vicinity of Motomachi Station on the JR Kobe Line starting at the Former Foreign Settlement and extending to Higashi Yuenchi Park. 

②Kobe Harbour Land

In front of the ferris wheel in Kobe Harbourland, the streets are being light up in winter. This is the spots for the people who would like to see the illumination with a quiet spot. 

Winter Foods in Japan

Toshikoshi Soba (年越しそば)

We eat soba noodles called “toshikoshi soba” (year-crossing soba) to wish for a long lasting life.

Ozoni (お雑煮)

Ozoni is a Japanese traditional soup which contains rice cakes and vegetables. The ingredients and soup of ozoni vary from region to region in Japan. The most common shape of rice cake for ozoni soup is a rectangle in East part of Japan. Mostly, we use mainly a clear soup which is made from seaweed, dried bonito and dried small sardines. We eat them to wish for the new year.

Suki-yaki (すき焼き)

Sukiyaki is a hot pot dish made from meat, tofu, long green onion, shirataki noodles, and other vegetables, simmered in a salty-sweet sauce. In new years, when many people get together in a home, the hot pot dish is b¥very common. Among that, Sukiyaki is very popular and most of them use good meats which they do not eat usually. 

Mikan (Mandarine Orange, みかん)　

Sitting under Kotatsu and mikans is kind of Japanese tradition in the winter. Kotatsu is a traditional Japanese heating appliance. It is a low table comes with an electric heater which is equipped underside of the top board.To cover the warmth, it is used with a coverlet on top to trap the warmth. Kotatsu and Mikan are inseparable in winter in Japan.