Taken by Takahiro Suzuki
Kakizome (書き初め, Lit.”First writing”)
A Japanese term for the first calligraphy written at the beginning of a year, traditionally on January 2.
A huge calligraphy work by Mohri Suzuki, a Japanese calligrapher. “萬事如意” means “May all your hopes be fulfilled”.
Mr. Suzuki teaching how to write beautiful letters with a brush. *Taken by Tomomi Yamazaki
Sarumawashi (猿回し, Monkey performance)
A variety of street performances involving trained monkeys performing in front of an audience.
Taken at Hokekyo-ji Temple, Chiba Pref, by Isao Tokuhashi
Filmed at Hokekyo-ji Temple, Chiba Pref, by Isao Tokuhashi
New Year’s visit to a shrine/temple (初詣, Hatsumode)
The first Shinto shrine visit of the Japanese New Year. Some people visit a Buddhist temple instead. Many visit on the first, second, or third day of the year as most are off work on those days. There are often long lines at major shrines/temples throughout Japan.
Taken at Hokekyo-ji Temple, Chiba Pref, by Isao Tokuhashi
Taken at Shibamata Taishakuten Shrine, Katsushika-ku, by Yayoi Minowa
Rooster girls ringing the bells on New Year’s Eve. 2017 is the year of the rooster in the Chinese astrological calendar. *Taken at Zojo-ji Temple, Minato-ku, by Ann Sado
Taken at Kanda Myojin Shrine, Chiyoda-ku, by Akira JW Tei
Taken at Juban Inari Shrine, Minato-ku, by Tomoko Komatsuzaki
Taken at Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya-ku, by Akira Tamachi
Taken at Shinsho-ji Temple, Chiba Pref, by Yukiko Hyodo
Taken at Shinsho-ji Temple, Chiba Pref, by Kiwako Agake
Taken at Zojo-ji Temple, Minato-ku, by Mekdachi Khalil
Taken at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kanagawa Pref, by Mac Suzuki
Taken at Senso-ji, Taito-ku, by Megumi Johjima
Taken at Senso-ji, Taito-ku, by Kiku Chi
Rikishi (力士, Sumo Wrestlers)
The two kanji characters that make up the word are “strength/power” and “gentleman/samurai”; consequently, and more idiomatically, ‘a gentleman of strength’.
Taken at Tokyo Skytree by Ayaka Fukuda
Lion dance (獅子舞, Shishimai)
A form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume. Versions of the lion dance are found in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Vietnam. It has been said that it brings you happiness, good luck and perfect state of health if the lion bites your head.
Taken at Shiba Daijingu Shrine, Minato-ku, by Mekdachi Khalil
All-Japan University Rugby Championships (全国大学ラグビーフットボール選手権大会)
Matches have been held annually since 1964 to determine the top University Rugby team.
Doshisha University vs Tokai University taken at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Minato-ku, by Maiko Yoshioka
Kadomatsu (門松, Lit.”Gate pine”)
A traditional Japanese decoration of the New Year placed in pairs in front of homes to welcome ancestral spirits or kami (the spirits or phenomena that are worshiped in the religion of Shinto) of the harvest. The central portion of the kadomatsu is formed from three large bamboo shoots.
Taken at Odakyu/Enoden Katase Enoshima Station, Kanagawa Pref, by Akira Tamachi
Taken at JR Shinagawa Station, Minato-ku, by Yongbo Seo
Visit of the General Public to the Palace for the New Year Greeting (新年一般参賀)
Greeting the royal family during their New Year’s public appearances. Held at the Imperial Palace on January 2 every year.
Taken by Kuniaki Sekine
Hakone Ekiden (箱根駅伝)
Officially called “Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race” (東京箱根間往復大学駅伝競走). It is one of the most prominent university ekiden (駅伝, relay marathon) races of the year held between Tokyo and Hakone on January 2 and 3. The first day distance is 108.0 km while the distance on the second day is 109.9 km.
Taken on January 2, 2017, by Kiku Chi
Hachiko Statue
The current one was erected in August 1948.
With New Year’s ornament. *Taken by Akira Tamachi
Additional temporary platform at Harajuku Station
It’s used only when major events occur in the area, especially around New Year when many people visit Meiji Jingu Shrine.
Taken by Akira Tamachi
The first sunrise (初日の出, Hatsuhinode)
One of many “firsts” that the Japanese take note of during the celebration of the new year. This tradition has been practiced since ancient times – originally performed at the beginning of spring based on the lunar calendar, hatsuhinode is now practiced faithfully on January 1st and has been since the switch to the Gregorian calendar in 1873.
Taken by Candy Javier Sakai
Taken from a jet by Kiwako Agake
Taken by Kiku Chi
Taken from Cape Inubo, Chiba Pref, by Koichiro Abe
Taken near Haneda Airport by Mie Mushiga
Taken near Haneda Airport by Susumu Matsuzaki
Taken from Miura Beach, Kanagawa Pref, by Nana Hirsch
Osechi (御節料理 or お節料理)
Traditional Japanese New Year foods. The tradition started in the Heian Period (794-1185). Osechi are easily recognizable by their special boxes called jubako (重箱).
Taken by Tatsuya Kimura
Taken by Mariko Tanaka
Taken by Yayoi Obara
Kagami mochi (鏡餅, Lit.”Mirror rice cake”)
A traditional Japanese New Year decoration. It usually consists of two round mochi (rice cakes), the smaller placed atop the larger, and a daidai (橙, a Japanese bitter orange) with an attached leaf on top.
Taken by Yayoi Obara