New Years in Japan 2003/2004

I decided to use my frequent flyer miles to go from Germany to Japan and spend new years in Tokyo with my family. I hadn't been to Japan during New Years, which is a big traditional and cultural holiday. Marie also flew over from San Francisco, and we were able to hang out with the family there.

Traditional "osechi ryoori"

One of the main traditions during new years is to stuff yourself silly with all kinds of good Japanese food. Needless to say, the two of us ate very well while we were there. It is tradition to pound and eat mochi. You start off with lots of steamed sweet mochi rice, and then take long wooden thick broomstick things, and knead it. Then you take a big wooden hammer and pound it. I don't know when you stop pounding, but I think you pound until you are hungry enough to want to eat the whole big mound of mochi. =) Once you're done pounding, you can shape them into smaller mochi balls and put them with different toppings like soybean powder or red bean soup. It's soooo good!


Marie and I each took a turn pounding mochi...it's really tiring

Instead of fireworks and street parties, you go to the temple on new years eve to pray for a good and healthy upcoming year. Me and thousands of other Japanese flocked to Kamakura, the main temple district near Tokyo. Auntie, Hiroshi, Marie, and I went to the temple, and waited to cliimb the steps along with many other peopleso that we could pray and ring in the new year. I think it was the best new years party. We got to ring a big bell, and we got to stay up til 4 in the morning along with all the other Tokyo-ites.