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Welcome to 2002 and warm greetings from Japan’s Heartland. In this
month’s issue we will highlight events occurring in January to mark
the New Year in the Tokai region - Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Shizuoka Prefectures
and Nagoya City. We hope that you will enjoy learning about fascinating
historical and cultural aspects that are still part of everyday life
in the “Heart of Japan”. |
| May you and yours enjoy peace, health and prosperity in the New Year! |
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In Japan the New Year is a special time, equivalent in
importance to Christmas. It is also a time when most of the country
literally shuts down for a couple of days to carry out traditions to
welcome in the coming year. To prepare for this companies and households
alike undertake massive “house cleaning” called o-soji and then
put up decorations. Shops order special decorations to be placed in
front of their main entrance. These decorations are called kado-matsu
and comprise of bamboo, pine, poinsettia and winter cabbage. For households
and shrines, shime-kazari are hung from entryways to bring in
good luck (and keep out bad spirits). Recently people even add a special
shimekazari to the hoods of their cars in the hopes of preventing
traffic accidents! Generally people head back to their hometowns via bullet
trains, planes and family cars around December 28 until January 3 or
so. The holidays are spent relaxing with family members, watching TV
specials and eating traditional dishes such as soba (buckwheat
noodles) on New Year’s Eve and o-sechi-ryori and o-zoni
on New Year’s Day. After welcoming in the New Year many people go to
their neighborhood or a nearby shrine to pay their respects and pray
for health and prosperity, this is called Hatsumode.
Throughout Japan’s history, year end and new year events have played an important role. Over time and with the creation of shrines, Hatsumode became an important annual event. If you are in the Tokai region, I highly suggest participating
in this event! It is surely one you will not forget.
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| The New Year’s holidays are being celebrated in the Tokai region! During
this special time of year people return to their hometowns and families
come together to celebrate the end of the old year and to welcome in the
new year. There are many special events and festivals held around the
area that celebrate the season. Here just a few are highlighted, if you
have a chance be sure to come and check them out for yourself! |
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Shinojima Daimyo Procession (Shinojima, Minami Chita town, Aichi) January 3 & 4 (Thurs. & Fri.) For two days Shinmei Shrine and Hajiouji Shrine come together to host this unique procession held on the island of Shinojima off of Minami Chita town. A procession of locals dressed as feudal lords and their vassals “greet” the local kami (Shinto ‘deities’) in this New Year festival. Held on the shores of Maehama beach, the event starts in the afternoon and stretches into the evening. |
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Santera Hatsumode (Furukawa town, Gifu) January 15 (Tues.) The old castle town of Furukawa continues the traditions of this 200 year old event in which locals pay their respects at three temples in the town - Enkoji, Honkoji and Shinshuji. Nestled in the mountains of Gifu, the people of Furukawa put snow to unique use by making snow candles - really! Packing snow into 30, 2 meter high (approx. 6 ft.) traditionally shaped candles, the light from the ‘wicks’ softly illuminate the town. |
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Hatsumode at Ise Grand Shrine (Ise, Mie)
The history of lse Grand Shrine stretches back 2000 years and has been
adored by visitors, who traveled to the shrine from all over the country,
since ancient times. This shrine contains 125 small shrines inside the
Naiku and Geku shrines. The shrine and Hatsumode truly should not to
be missed.
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Viewing the first sunrise of 2002 at Nihon Daira (Shizuoka city, Shizuoka) Early in the morning of January 1 (Tues.) After welcoming the New Year in, many people continue their celebrations
by going to nearby hillsides or mountains in the wee hours of January
1 to enjoy the glory of nature by watching the first sunrise of the
year. One of the most beloved landmarks in Japan is Mt. Fuji, so why
not make 2002 a year to truly remember by watching the sunrise and shine
its glory over Mt. Fuji and the Nihon Daira (Japan Plateau)? |
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Hatsumode at Atsuta Shrine (Nagoya city) Atsuta Shrine has been called "Atsuta-sama"or "Miya"
for a long time, and plays an important role in this region. Each year
over 6 million people visit the shrine. Atsuta Shrine is second only
to Ise Grand Shrine whose history stretches far back. |
| These are just a few of the many events and festivals in the Tokai region. To learn about more festivals held throughout the year check out our "Events & Festivals" page at http://www.j-heartland.com or click on any of the following links! |
| Before you plan a trip to Japan & the Tokai region, why not check out some pre-planned tours? You can find more information in our "Recommended Routes" section. |
| For more information on getting around Japan & the Tokai region as you plan your trip, access valuable information on discounted rail passes found in our "Railway Passes" section. |
Home
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Back issues are available on our site in the "Tokai Newsletter"
section Compiled by Christine Sakamoto
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