OK, it’s getting a bit late to talk about Hatsumode (the first visit of the year to the shrine) and other things related to New Year’s in Japan, so I’ll be quick, with just a few pics and commentaries. Just like last year, we went to Iwaseo Hachiman-gū for Hatsumode

  I had never been to Ritsurin Garden in winter before. That changed on January 1st as it was the destination of our first outing of the year. It may not come as a surprise that it is probably not the best time of the year to discover the garden

    This is a Kumade (although if I understand correctly, Kumade may just mean “rake” in Japanese). It is one of the many artifacts one can get for New Year’s in Japan. My mother-in-law got it for us, now I wonder where we’ll manage to store it to catch

  I just wanted to wish all of you a very Happy New Year 2013, the year of the snake.     Just like last year, I will post a short series of posts about New Year’s in Japan over the next few days. I hope you’ll enjoy them.  

  So, a few days ago I told you that I was done with telling you about New Year in Japan until next year. Well, I was wrong. I had forgotten about Dondo Yaki. What is this? Dondo Yaki? Well, it’s actually quite simple. See, for New Year’s, houses are

  Today, my series of posts about New Year in Japan is coming to an end with a view pictures of Hatsumode (going to the shrine on New Year’s) taken on January 2nd at one of my favorite Shinto shrine, Iwaseo Hachiman-gū.             So for

  On January 2nd, as we were having a walk around Sunport (that I don’t see this often anymore now that I live “inland”), we stumbled upon a Mochi making demonstration. It has accompanied by a Shamisen ensemble coming from Mima, Tokushima. Enjoy:             Of

  My first New Year’s Day in Japan started quite peculiarly as we were awaken at 8am by the mailman! To be awake early on New Year’s Day is strange enough for me, but to be awake early because the mailman just rang the door, that my friends is a

  I wish you all a Happy New Year 2012 and let’s hope this Year of the Dragon brings many good things to all of you!       And as a follow up from yesterday’s post, last night was a very normal night for the most part, except when

  So here we are. My very first New Year in Japan is just around the corner. I’m going to tell you a little bit about it, as you’ll see it’s pretty different from what’s happening in the Western World. I don’t know about you but for me, New Year’s