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12/31/2009 - 1/01/2010New Year (Shogatsu)
Nationwide,
Japan
New Year is Japan's biggest festival. That is not to say it is the most dramatic spectacle, because much of its activity is private, family affairs and is not seen in public. However, it is an opportunity to join the people of Japan at their shrines for the solemn tolling of the great bronze bells as the New Year arrives. Food plays a big part of the celebrations and many of the traditional meals take a long time to prepare. Homes are decorated with pine, bamboo and plum trees. The imperial gardens in Tokyo are open to the public on 2 January (and on the emperor's birthday). New Year's Day is a public holiday, but many businesses close for up to a week.
Themes:
Kids' Stuff
, Food & Drink
, Spectacle
, Entertainment
, Culture
, Religion
Hours: Throughout the two-day period.
Cost: Free.
Where: Towns and cities across Japan
Nationwide, Japan
Contact Information:
Japanese National Tourist Office
Tourist Information Centre
10th Floor Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Building
2-10-1 Yurakucho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo
100 0006
Japan
Telephone: +81 (0)3 3201 3331.
Website: www.seejapan.co.uk
