"Our Tokyo" Shogatsu-New Year's holiday in Tokyo

Tokyo's Ozoni (a soup with mochi)

Ozoni is consumed during shogatsu. It is mainly eaten on New Year's Day. The ingredients and seasoning of the ozoni soup varies from region to region, and from family to family. It is one of the dishes that has been passed down from parents to their children. Mochi (pounded rice) is always included in any variation of ozoni. Mochi are eaten with the wish to "live a long life" because they stretch very well.

In Tokyo, mochi is square but, in Kansai, it is round. In Tokyo, ozoni is made by adding chicken, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), daikon, carrots, and other ingredients to a clear soup, to which broiled mochi is then added.

New Year's Postcards

New Year's postcards delivered on New Year's Day are a custom unique to Japan. People send them as a means of expressing their gratitude to those who have taken care of them. It begins with words of congratulations for the New Year. The phrase "Happy New Year" can be used to address anyone, whether it's a colleague, teacher, or friend.

Then, words to thank them for their help in the past year - and to ask for their continued support in the new year - follow. For example, "Thank you very much for your help last year, and I look forward to working with you again this year." It's also good to write about your recent situation.

To make sure that your New Year's postcards arrive on January 1st, please post between December 15 and December 27 (varies from year to year). When sending out New Year's postcards after the beginning of the new year, please send them by January 7th. After that, the greeting should be "Season's Greetings ", instead of "Happy New Year".

Shichifukujin Meguri

Many people make a Shichifukujin Meguri; a short pilgrimage tour to visit the temples and shrines of the Shichifukujin; the seven deities/gods of good fortune. They are; Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Ebisuten, Jurojin, Fukurokuju, Benzaiten, and Hoteison. It is said that worshiping the Shichifukujin brings the benefits of the fulfillment of your wishes, such as longevity, prosperity in business, a good harvest, and safety in the home. People go on a pilgrimage with the hope that the new year will be a good one. It is also a good walking course.

There are several Shichifukujin Meguri courses in Tokyo. The Nihonbashi Shichifukujin Meguri is a popular route, because of its short length. Why don't you look for one in your area?