SETSUBUN
-- the eve of the first day of spring --






Setsubun signifies the turning point day of season.
It changes from winter to spring.
The day is February 3rd.

At the day, people scatter parched soy beans inside and outside their homes with yelling "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! ".
The yelling means "Out with the ogre! In with the happiness! ".

And people eat the beans same number as age.

In big shrines and temples it is held the festival of this beans scattering.

OSHIRUKO
-- sweet red-bean soup with rice cakes --








This is one of the representative foods in winter season.
It makes our body so hot.

Red-Bean is very famous food in Japan.
Especially it is congenial with rice cake.

You can make it with no knowledge.
You can get a package of red-bean soup and rice cake at supermarket.
Just make those hot and put rice cakes into soup.
That is it!

Some Japanese who is traveling to overseas bring the package in their bags.
Let's try!

Ski season is coming

At last Ski season is coming this year.

In this year it has not been so cold so far.

For most of the people it is comfortable to live, but for some people it is so serious situation, who works at winter resort like ski area.

But recent cold weather has brung snow to those areas.

The best ski area in Japan is Hokkaido.

There is powder snow like Canadian resort and it is getting popular among foreign people for their vacation.

For example, the ski resort 'Kiroro' is full of Australian year by year.

The best season of Ski is February. There is plenty snow.

My favorite one is Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort which has many courses for all skills player.

The Skyline Course has wonderful view.

Let's go and enjoy winter resort!

Osechi Ryori -- New Year dishes --







Osechi Ryori is eaten as special side dishes in three days of New Year.
Since long time ago until this recent ten years, the period of New Year three days is the holiday for mostly people.
That is why we need Osechi Ryori, there had been no place to buy fresh food or to go out for dinner and lunch.
The peaces of the dishes are suitable for preservation.

But recently the situation of society has been changed.
The shops and stores open through the year including New Year holidays.
The choice of meal has been spread.
So people who do not cook and eat Osechi Ryori are getting a lot.
The one for take out has been popular.

A Happy New Year











The New Year's Day is celebrated by so many people all over Japan, and one of the important days through the year.

At the New Year's Eve and the Day, lots of events are held in each community or religious place.

At the Eve, called Oomisoka, major event is Joyanokane.
In some temples there is a big bell. People strike the bell hundred eight times, it is the number of year's worldly passions.

The countdown event is also held in many places.

At the Day and usually through three days, people go Hatsumode, visit to shrine to pray wellness and good luck for New Year.


And it is going to end the Happy Holiday season.