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The end-of-year and New Year's period (Oshogatsu) is the most important cultural holiday in Japan, filled with unique and fascinating traditions that are different from Western countdown parties. Here are the key Japanese end-of-year events and traditions that foreign tourists can experience, categorized by type. 🇯🇵 Year-End & New Year's Events for Tourists 1. Traditional & Spiritual Countdown Events Unlike fireworks-heavy Western celebrations, New Year's in Japan is often a serene and reflective time centered around temples and shrines. 1.1. 🔔 Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘): The 108 Bell Rings What it is: A traditional Buddhist ceremony where temples ring their...

🎄 Recommended Japanese Christmas Events for Visitors Japan celebrates Christmas primarily as a romantic and commercial event, distinct from the religious holiday observed in many Western countries. The focus is on beautiful illuminations and festive markets. 1. ✨ Spectacular Winter Illuminations  These are the biggest draw and are usually free to view. They start in mid-to-late November and run through Christmas and into the New Year. Event / Area Location (Tokyo) Appeal to Tourists Midtown Christmas Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi Features a main "Starlight Garden" illumination with thousands of LEDs that often change color and pattern in time with music. It's...

Street kart tours you see in Tokyo, often featuring costumes that resemble characters from popular video games, are a massive draw for foreign tourists.   🏎️ Street Karting in Tokyo: The Real-Life Mario Experience                                                                       1. 📝 Overview of the Activity (概要) These street kart tours are offered by various private companies (though they are not affiliated with Nintendo or Mario Kart). They allow tourists to...

🍢 Oden: A Guide to Japan's Cozy Winter Comfort Food Oden is a traditional Japanese stew, best enjoyed in the cooler months. It consists of various ingredients slow-simmered in a light, savory, soy-flavored broth called dashi. It’s warm, savory, and deeply satisfying. 1. 🍲 Oden Overview  Feature Description What is it? A Japanese hot pot or stew where various ingredients are slowly simmered in a light, soy-based, savory dashi broth. Flavor Profile Umami-rich and savory, but light and delicate. The long simmering time allows the dashi flavor to deeply penetrate the ingredients. When to Eat Primarily enjoyed during autumn and...

🍣 Sushi Etiquette & Menu Guide for tourist 1. Essential Sushi Manners  Sushi is an art form, and following a few simple rules enhances the experience for both you and the chef (Itamae). Aspect Etiquette Rule Explanation Using Soy Sauce (Shoyu) Dip the Neta (Topping), not the Shari (Rice). Dipping the rice causes it to absorb too much soy sauce, making the flavor overpowering and the shari fall apart. Dip fish-side down. Hands vs. Chopsticks Both are acceptable. It is perfectly fine (and traditionally correct) to eat nigiri sushi with your fingers. Use chopsticks for sashimi or gunkan (battleship rolls)....