New Year's Eve in Japan

The Jeremiah Show

THE KIMI KATO SHOW with Jeremiah Featuring New Year's Eve in Japan

The New Year is widely viewed as a time to start over — a clean slate. It’s an opportunity to leave behind past mistakes, challenges, or regrets and embrace new beginnings with optimism.

This "reset" aligns with our natural inclination to mark time and milestones as moments for reflection and renewal.

Many cultures have rituals or practices associated with the New Year that emphasize renewal, gratitude, and hope for the future.

In Japan, for example, hatsumōde at shrines symbolize a spiritual reset.

In the West, traditions like making resolutions are rooted in self-improvement and goal-setting.

We are naturally drawn to rhythms and cycles, such as the passage of days, months, and years. The New Year provides a mental checkpoint for evaluating personal growth and planning for the future.

Setting resolutions or intentions motivates because it offers a structured framework for achieving aspirations.

Japan says goodbye to the old year on New Year’s Eve, called Ōmisoka.

Ōmisoka is all about reflection and preparation—emphasizing cleansing and renewal. The New Year’s Eve starts with Ōsōji, the deep cleaning of homes before the New Year. It’s a physical and spiritual reset. Preparing your space by removing the old makes room for good fortune in the year ahead. Families take this tradition seriously, often involving every member of the household.

After that, Families gather to enjoy toshikoshi soba, or “year-crossing noodles.” The noodles symbolize a wish for a long, humble, healthy life. Eating them is a way to let go of the past year's hardships and start fresh. Eating Soba noodles on New Year’s Eve. Usually, after dinner at the turn of the year.

Another major part of Ōmisoka focuses on family activities like watching TV. One of the most popular programs is Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a music competition featuring Japan’s top artists of that year. It’s not just entertainment but also a way to reflect on the year through music and culture.

Let's delve deeper into Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a cornerstone of Japan's New Year's Eve celebrations. This annual music program, produced by NHK, translates to "Red and White Song Battle," symbolizing the competition between the Red Team (female artists) and the White Team (male artists).

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

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