FOOD
Mochi Choking Deaths Skyrocket in Japan With The New Year
Every year, more people in Japan die from choking on mochi, the country's famous chewy rice treat, than die in automobile accidents.
new years
FOOD
SOCIETY
Japan’s Shrines and Temples Goes Cashless to Thwart Donation Box Thefts
With Hatsumode - the first shrine visit of the New Year - fast approaching, some shrines say they're going digital to stop…
CULTURE
Most Japanese Say “Meh” to Nengajo New Year’s Cards
Sending postcards as the first greeting for the New Year is a tradition dating way back in Japan. However, surveys show more…
CULTURE
Japanese People Dip Out of Year-End Work Parties
It seems companies in Japan are more excited about holding end-of-year work parties than people are on attending them. One survey found…
CULTURE
Namahage: In Japan’s Akita, Demons Ring in the New Year
The namahage are wild, Krampus-like New Year's mountain gods of Akita Prefecture. But what's the story behind the horns and straw coats?
HISTORY
Kadomatsu in Sendai: An Old-School Japanese New Year
You may have heard of kadomatsu, Japan's traditional New Year decoration. But did you know of this old-school variation from the Edo…
FOOD
Osechi Ryori: History, Meanings, and How to Prepare
Osechi ryori is Japan's traditional New Year's cuisine. How did this tradition begin, and what do all the different foods symbolize?
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
As COVID-19 Spikes, Otoshidama Go Cashless in Japan
Thanks to COVID-19, the Japanese custom of otoshidama is going the cashless route this year - and some people couldn't be more…