Enjoy the New Year! How to enjoy first shrine visit of the year, New Year decorations, and traditional games

New Year's decorations serve as auspicious items to welcome the New Year .

Each decoration, such as kadomatsu and shimenawa, has a meaning and is said to bring good fortune in the new year and ward off evil spirits.

When choosing decorations, it is important to understand their meaning .

How you display it also requires some thought, and the meaning will vary depending on where you display it , such as in the entranceway, living room, or bedroom.

Before the New Year comes, make sure you are well prepared and decorate your entire home with festive colors .

This will ensure that you have a New Year filled with good fortune .

When it comes to New Year's cuisine, osechi ryori is the most representative, but there are also many other dishes that are simple yet look luxurious .

Classic New Year's dishes such as black beans, herring roe, and chestnut paste can be easily made at home with a little ingenuity .

Also, just by making a few beautiful looking dishes , you can instantly brighten up your dinner table.

For example, we recommend Japanese-style roast beef, which looks luxurious even on its own , or colorful vegetable marinades that are easy to make .

By adding color and creativity to your dishes, your family and guests are sure to be pleased .

There are lots of traditional games that the whole family can enjoy during New Year's.

Traditional games such as shuttlecock, Fukuwarai, and kite flying are still popular today .

Battledore and shuttlecock in particular is an activity that children can become engrossed in playing, and it allows you to feel the unique atmosphere of the New Year .

Fukuwarai is also great for families to enjoy together and laugh.

Kite flying is an activity that can be enjoyed in large parks and squares while feeling the wind .

Strengthen family bonds and create happy memories through traditional New Year's games .

With each new year, many people set new goals and resolutions.

New Year's resolutions are an important step in self-improvement and taking on new challenges.

However, it is also true that many people end up giving up halfway through or are unable to put their plans into action.

Here are some "secrets to success" that are perfect for you!

First, be clear about your true desires and goals.

The first step towards achieving your goal is to visualize what you want to do and who you want to become.

Next, break your goal down into small steps.

For example, if your resolution is to "live a healthier life," it's effective to start with small habits that you can incorporate into your daily routine, like walking every day or trying to cook a healthy recipe once a week.

And if you think about what reward you'll give yourself when you achieve your goal, it'll double the excitement !

Additionally, visualize yourself achieving your goal.

Just imagining yourself in the future feeling a sense of accomplishment will instantly boost your motivation.

Finally, it is also effective to tell people around you about your goals and ask for their support.

Having friends who support you makes it easier to achieve goals that would be difficult to achieve alone.

Get the new year off to a great start and make your goals come true !

The first shrine visit of the year is an important New Year event, and going with family and friends makes you feel more present during the new year.

There are many shrines across the country that are said to bring good fortune .

For example, Meiji Shrine in Tokyo and Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto are popular spots that attract many worshippers every year .

When visiting a shrine for the first time in the New Year, it is important to strictly observe the proper etiquette and manners .

When praying, be sure to follow the procedure of two bows, two claps, and one bow to express your gratitude.

Let's get off to a great start in the new year with our first visit to a shrine .

It's common to end up overeating during New Year's.

As a result, many people may be troubled by weight gain over the New Year holidays .

However, by adopting a few simple habits, you can prevent weight gain over the New Year.

First, it is important to gradually adjust the amount of food you eat .

There are some high-calorie dishes, such as osechi ryori and ozōni, but simply eating less of them can have a big effect .

It is also effective to incorporate light exercise every day .

Get into the habit of walking and stretching to have a healthy New Year .

New Year's greetings are an important form of communication both in business and in personal life .

Especially in business situations, proper New Year's greetings can help maintain good relationships.

When sending New Year's greetings via email, the key is to keep the message short but sincere .

In addition to the basic sentence, "Thank you for your support last year. I look forward to working with you again this year," it will be more impressive if you express your gratitude to the other person specifically.

Make sure you prepare your greetings carefully to ensure a great start to the new year .

New Year's is a special time to spend relaxing with your family. But it's a waste to just spend it at home!

Find out about the unique New Year's events and ways to spend the year that the whole family can enjoy, and you're sure to have an even more exciting New Year's celebration.

First, let's check out the New Year events being held all over the country.

From traditional shrine visits to first sales and festivals, New Year's is packed with events unique to the New Year.

For example, in Asakusa, Tokyo, you can enjoy lively first shrine visits and festivals, while in Kyoto you can solemnly welcome the New Year at a historic shrine.

In addition to visiting the shrine for the first time in the new year, we also recommend enjoying the beautiful illuminations at night or going to a theme park with the whole family .

There are also New Year's-only attractions and parades, so children will be delighted.

Another great idea for spending New Year's with the family is to try making "osechi ryori" (traditional New Year's dishes) together or making your own "New Year's decorations."

Working with your hands can deepen family bonds and you'll feel a special sense of accomplishment when you finish.

Of course, you can also just relax at home and enjoy movies and games !

Choosing a movie that's perfect for New Year's and spending time laughing and getting moved with your family , especially with popcorn in hand, will be an irreplaceable memory.

This New Year, combine nationwide events with fun activities at home to have the best time filled with smiles for the whole family !

As we approach the New Year, handmade New Year decorations that brighten up the entranceway are important items that bring good fortune to the entire house in the new year .

Some recommended DIY ideas that even beginners can easily do are arrangements using pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms , and handmade shimenawa (sacred rope) made from washi paper .

These materials are readily available at hardware stores and florists.

Start by learning some basic decorating techniques and then work your way from there to adapting a style that suits your home.

It has the warmth that only something handmade can have, and is sure to please guests who visit your front door.

With just a few simple touches, your entrance will be transformed into a festive space , ready to welcome in the new year.

New Year's is a great time to enjoy movies with your family.

Start the year off right with a heartwarming movie with your family .

Here are five movies I recommend.

First of all, classic Disney movies are a surefire choice that both adults and children can enjoy .

In particular, works with themes of adventure and growth , such as "The Lion King" and "Aladdin," are perfect for the New Year's atmosphere.

Next, when it comes to Japanese animated films, we can't leave out Studio Ghibli films. "Spirited Away" is a fascinating story that evokes the bond between family members.

We also recommend comedy movies. Starting the new year with laughter is sure to be a great one.

Finally, make the New Year a heartwarming time with some classic, inspiring movies that the whole family can enjoy.

Each of the lucky charms displayed during the New Year has a deep meaning.

The crane symbolizes longevity, while the turtle symbolizes health and stability , and they are considered to be lucky charms suitable for the New Year.

By displaying these at the entrance of your home, you can bring in good fortune in the new year and pray for the health and happiness of your family.

When decorating, the key is to place it in a prominent location in the entrance .

Also, when displaying lucky charms, it is important to understand the meaning of each one and handle them with care.

These small details will bring good fortune to your family and visitors.

Let's start the new year with colorful auspicious items .

In order to fully enjoy the New Year, there are a few important points to keep in mind.

First, in preparation for the New Year , make sure to set up your New Year decorations and prepare your New Year's dishes.

Next, it's important to plan fun events and activities to cherish the time you spend with family and friends.

It is also important to clarify your goals and wishes for the new year through hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) and making New Year's resolutions.

Finally, be sure to pay attention to your health to avoid gaining weight over the New Year holidays , and to managing your physical condition if you are traveling for long periods of time.

By keeping these points in mind, you will be able to have a wonderful New Year's celebration .