TOKYO – As the first light of the New Year touches the Japanese archipelago, a ritual of deep cultural significance unfolds in kitchens from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Beyond the ringing of temple bells and the first shrine visits of the year (hatsumode), the Japanese New Year, or Oshogatsu, is defined by a singular, steaming bowl […]

As the first sunrise of the year, known as Hatsuhinode, breaks over the Japanese archipelago, a quiet ritual unfolds in kitchens from Hokkaido to Okinawa. While the world may associate New Year’s Eve with revelry, the Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu) is a period of solemnity, family, and culinary symbolism. At the heart of this celebration […]