CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
I’ve lived all of my life later than New York. Until now. This is the first New Year’s Eve that I’ll have lived where I can’t watch the ball drop in Time Square because it hasn’t DROPPED yet! So what’s a body to do?
My Googling fingers found this very succinct answer to most of my questions about New Year’s celebrations in Japan. My favorite is the New Year’s cards — evidently cards can be dropped off at your local post office beginning in December and the cards are sent on to the delivering post offices who HOLD THEM until New Years day when a whole stack is delivered to your door. I just love Christmas cards so this sounds super fun to me. And I’m always happy for an excuse for more soba — so we’ll plan on that for the Eve.
I had really wanted to find a little local shrine to go to an “ring the bell” for New Year’s (I’d done it on a trip to Japan years ago). I can’t find any info on that, but Shuri Castle is doing it. They are also doing tons on the traditional holidays of Jan. 1-3.
I loved all the Christmas activity suggestions, so wanted to give ya’ll the chance to tell us what you know about programs/activities/fun stuff to participate in on New Year’s Eve & Day. Comment away!