New Year is a much bigger holiday--the biggest of the year, in fact--as family members living apart will come spend the holiday season together. Preparations begin several days before New Year's Day, as homes are cleaned from top to bottom and special New Year meals--called osechi ryori--that will keep for the duration for the holidays are cooked.

As midnight approaches on December 31, families visit nearby Buddhist temples to ring out the old year, reflecting quietly on the year just passed as the deeply resonating temple bell is sounded. Soba, or buckwheat noodles, are eaten to usher in the new year and to pray for longevity.

The following morning, family members gather for their first meal of the new year together, eating the dishes that were prepared during the previous year along with a rich, filling broth containing an assortment of vegetables and grilled mochi (rice cakes).

During New Year, many people visit Shinto shrines to pray for happiness. Children receive a special allowance called otoshidama from parents, relatives, and other adults. New Year's cards are exchanged with friends and acquaintances living far away.

In early February, Setsubun is celebrated to mark the passage of winter. Dried soy beans are scattered inside the house and out to cries of "In with good fortune; out with demons!" This is intended to guard against accidents, although many children have fun making demon's masks that can be donned during the bean throwing.