The New Year (Shōgatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a fresh start, leaving the old year’s worries and troubles behind.

Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, families gather to spend the days together and it is traditional to visit a shrine or temple. However, with Japan struggling to contain a nationwide surge of COVID-19 that began in late October, this year will be different.

Clearly greater caution will be necessary to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus during the New Year’s holidays as the latest wave continues to gain momentum.

Government programs aimed at countering the economic impacts of the crisis have been temporarily halted through January 11. Everyone has been asked to not travel, stay indoors, and avoid large gatherings. Establishments that serve food and alcohol have been asked to close or reduce business hours through the same period. Companies have also been asked to forego the traditional end of the year parties (Bonenkai or “year forgetting parties”).

Many shrines and temples are restricting access to discourage the typical large crowds who come to celebrate the New Year to pray for good fortunes. I will personally miss the Joya no kane, the traditional bell-ringing ceremony held across Japan on New Year’s Eve. The large impressive temple bells are rung 108 times starting in the old year and finishing right as the clock strikes midnight. We will listen from our balcony.

That said, some Japanese New Year traditions will still be observed by us.

Before the year ends, our residence will have been subject to a detailed cleaning. Traditional ornaments made of pine and bamboo have joined our Christmas decorations.

On New Year’s eve, we will spend a quiet evening at home with a simple sushi and sashimi meal, consuming sake while watching a highly popular musical television program featuring many of Japan’s most famous J-pop and enka singers, and playing Yahtzee. Just before midnight, Toshikoshi (or “year crossing”) soba noodles will be served.

January 1, a day free of stress and work, will start by viewing the New Year’s first sunrise (Hatsu-hinode) through our bedroom window that offers a urban panoramic view of Tokyo.

For breakfast, Keiko has ordered Osechi Ryori, a customary traditional special type of meal to usher in a new year. Each dish is carefully packed in decorative boxes and includes Otoso (sweetened rice wine) and Ozoni (a soup made with mochi). An early afternoon dinner using a special roast beef recipe and menu will be prepared and served.

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With the passing of a sad and tragic year filled with uncertainty, we are looking forward to 2021 with confidence that the world will soon be a safer and better place.
May your troubles be less and your blessings be more; And nothing but happiness come through your door.

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Happy New Year
Keiko, Paul & Toma

In  Japan on New Year’s Eve (Ōmisoka) it is customary for Japanese to reflect on the past year and usher in the coming year, all while enjoying a bowl of hot soba noodles, called Toshikoshi Soba, or “year-crossing noodle”.

For over 16 years Keiko and I have eating a bowl of soba noodles to mark the end of the old year.  However, I never really understood the tradition and decided it was time to learn more about the custom.

Through my research I found that eating a bowl of soba noodles to mark the end of the old year and pass into the new is a tradition that has its roots in the 13th or 14th century.  It became increasingly popular as religious and superstitious rituals developed over time.  Thus established, enjoying toshikoshi soba has become one of the most enduring traditions observed by the Japanese people in the New Year. 

Among the several theories as to why soba was chosen as the noodle of choice is that buckwheat is a symbol of strength, since the grain is very resilient to cold and bad weather and that the long, thin noodles signify a long life.

On this New Year’s Eve we will be spending a quiet evening at our home with Yuko and Mai.  I have volunteered to make a quintessential Japanese toshikoshi soba noodle dish using a recipe that includes duck prepared nanban style, with the sweetness of winter leek enhancing the rich fat of the bird.

What better way to cross over a symbolic bridge to make a clean, no-regrets break with the ending year than slurping a warm bowl of festive toshikoshi soba!

Sicilians and Italians traditionally celebrate Christmas Eve with a “Feast of Seven Fishes,” a meatless meal that includes dishes of fish and other seafood. It is one of the treasured memories of my youth that I have preserved to this day.

This grand meal was historically served after a 24 hour fasting period reflecting the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. The number of courses has religious significance associated with the seven holy Catholic sacraments.

However, in true Italian style, the meal can include any number of seafood dishes and today the main point of the meal is to gather family and friends to celebrate together while enjoying delicious food and drink.

With that in mind, the Feast this year will be served on Friday, December 25 in Tokyo (December 24, Christmas Eve in America) and the menu reflects a fusion of some of my favorite traditional Sicilian dishes in Wafu or Japanese-style.

Merry Christmas to all. Buon appetito!

MENU
Antipasto (Seafood, Cheese & Vegetable Selections)
 Prosecco

 Aglio e Olio
 Sicilian-Style Tuna Carpaccio
 Linguine with Clam Sauce
 Fried Oysters
 Steamed Mussels with Garlic Butter Sauce
 Capellini with Squid Ink
 Shrimp with Diablo Sauce
 Risotto with Scallops & Mushrooms
 Roasted Maple/Miso Salmon with Green Beans
 Vino Bianco

 Digestivo –– Limoncello

 Dolce –– Christmas Cake
 Espresso or Caffè e Latte

We hope this message finds you, your family and friends in good health.
With the passing of a sad and tragic year filled with uncertainty, we are looking forward to 2021 with confidence that the world will soon be a safer and better place.
May your troubles be less and your blessings be more; And nothing but happiness come through your door.

Best Wishes for the Holiday Season
Keiko, Paul & Toma

#603 3-28-1 Kurihara

Adachi-ku, Tokyo Japan 123-0842