National Jan 5, 2021
Shrines and temples had asked for cooperation to stagger New Year's visits so as to reduce coronavirus infection risk.
National Jan 3, 2021
Shinto shrines across the country are seeing a drop in the number of people making traditional New Year's visits as many shrines take measures against the coronavirus.
National Jan 1, 2021
New Year's Day is the biggest holiday in Japan's calendar, but this year's festivities were subdued following record highs in new coronavirus cases nationwide and calls from the government to stay home. Emperor Naruhito appealed to the public to work together through the pandemic in ...
National Dec 19, 2020
Shinto shrines across Japan adopt virus countermeasures before New Year's rush
Concerns are growing that the rush to visit shrines and temples over the holidays may result in closed, crowded and close-contact settings.
National Dec 28, 2019
Japanese heading home for New Year's holidays crowd trains and airports
People heading to their hometowns or going abroad for the New Year’s holidays crowd train stations, airports and roads in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Travel Dec 28, 2019
Hatsuhinode: Where to see the first sunrise of the decade
by Russell Thomas
There's never a better time to catch sunrise in Japan than at new year. From Tokyo Tower to the coast of Chiba Prefecture, here are 10 of the best places to see the first sunrise of the year near Tokyo.
Business / Corporate Dec 27, 2019
Lawson to allow New Year's store closures in Japan on trial basis
Lawson Inc. plans to allow some outlets to close during the New Year's holiday period on a trial basis, said Sadanobu Takemasu, president and chief executive officer of the convenience store chain, in a recent interview. Between Tuesday and Thursday, 102 stores across 25 prefectures ...
Language | BILINGUAL Dec 24, 2019
'Tis the season for a lot of gift-giving
by Kaori Shoji
If you want to give gifts at Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year's Eve, then get the language of giving and receiving down pat
National Dec 22, 2019
In Japan, 10% unlikely to take year-end or New Year's holidays
A survey has found that 10.6 percent of the nation's workers will likely be unable to take even a single day off during the nine-day year-end and New Year's holiday period from Saturday to Jan. 5. The proportion of respondents who can possibly take all ...
Lifestyle | Kateigaho International Japan Edition Dec 21, 2019
The end of the year is a time for thorough cleaning to ready the home for the arrival of Toshigami-sama, the god of the new year. Modern lifestyles notwithstanding, the custom remains deeply ingrained in Japan. Two leading floral designers and an in-demand stylist ...
Food & Drink | JAPANESE KITCHEN Dec 14, 2019
Whether it's sweet or savory, zōni soup is a new year mainstay
by Makiko Itoh
For centuries, mochi rice cakes have been a part of festive occasions in Japan, especially during the new year holidays. A hearty zōni soup is one classic way to incorporate mochi into your new year meal.
Lifestyle | Kateigaho International Japan Edition Dec 14, 2019
Mizuhiki are an indispensable part of the country's new year celebrations, embodying people's hopes and prayers for the 12 months ahead.