Hello again, and Happy New Year!  It’s a bit late, I know, but in Japan New Year celebrations extend beyond just the 1st of January. I do use the term celebration rather loosely here, as the Japanese traditions surrounding the new year are much different from those of most western cultures.  For example, there generally aren’t many countdown parties.  For most people the sunrise of the first day is considered more significant than the stroke of midnight.  As such, one tradition here is to climb Mt. Fuji New Year’s Eve night and watch the sunrise from the peak.  I imagine this tradition is particularly popular with people who enjoy freezing and falling down a lot.  But of course the festivities don’t end there!

Continue reading A New Year!