Why Tokyo’s Most Famous Crossing Turns Silent on New Year’s Eve Many travelers visiting Japan during the New Year season imagine a lively countdown party in Tokyo — especially at the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. However, unlike major cities such … Read More
What is Kagami Mochi (鏡餅)? During the New Year season, you may have seen this unique decoration in Japanese stores and restaurants. Kagami Mochi (literally “mirror rice cake”) is a traditional Japanese New Year decoration deeply rooted in Shinto practices … Read More
New Year’s visit to a shrine, known as “Hatsumode (初詣)”, is a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Have you ever wondered about the meaning and origins behind this practice? Meaning of Hatsumode: Hatsumode refers to the tradition of … Read More