Here are some ways you can celebrate the new year (おしょうがつ) Japanese-style with your children:
from fumira.jp
1) Eat Osechi-ryori (お節料理), ozoni (お雑煮), mochi, soba, and sushi.
2) Ring bells at midnight to get rid of worldly desires.
3) Send New Year’s Postcards(ねんがじょう).
4) Give otoshidama (money) to children :).
5) Write a haiku about the new year.
6) Play games such as hanetsuki, spin tops, fly kites, karuta, and fukuwarai.
7) On January 1st, wake up early to watch the first sunrise of the year. Also, try to remember your first dream of the year.
8) Sing the New Year’s Song (lyrics HERE):
How do you ring in the new year?
Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year!
you too ! thanks so much for following my little blog!
Hi. I found your site while looking for ideas to teach my students. I remembered that setsubun was in Feb, so I did a search for that and oni and I found your site. I have bookmarked it and hope to use it as a resource. I followed your links for oni masks and calendars. I am an American, currently living in Australia and have lived in Japan for 4 years.
I enjoyed looking through your site. Keep it up.
thank you very much!