Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo: Japanese New Year Celebrations

Ring in the New Year in Little Tokyo!

New Year’s, or Oshogatsu, is one of Japan’s most important holidays. Although Oshogatsu originally referred to the whole month of January, most people associate it with the first three days (sanga nichi) of the month. On these days, people go to shrines or temples, spend time with friends and relatives and eat special New Year’s dishes.

Come to Little Tokyo this year to ring in 2020, the Year of the Rat!

 

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2020 Japanese New Year’s Oshogatsu Festival

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC) are bringing the tradition to Little Tokyo for another year for their 2020 Japanese New Year’s Oshogatsu Festival in Little Tokyo! Watch the opening ceremony kick-off with the pounding beats of taiko drums, and shishimai (lion dancers) take the stage on the first level of the Weller Court Shopping Center. Stay to learn how mochi is traditionally made with this year’s Nisei Week Queen and her Court, and enjoy calligraphy demonstrations, kimono and Harajuku-style fashion shows, anime booths, Japanese street food & more!

January 1st, 2020, 10:50 AM–4:00 PM @ Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza.

Admission: FREE

For more information, visit japanese-city.com

 

Oshogatsu Family Festival – Year of the Rat

Ring in the new year and celebrate the Year of the Rat with fun arts and crafts, food, cultural activities, and exciting performances! Enjoy traditional mochitsuki (Japanese rice pounding ritual), lucky zaru soba (cold buckwheat noodles) and and osechi-ryori (traditional Japanese New Year foods) tastings, fukubukuro (lucky grab bags), and more.

January 5th, 2020, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM @ Japanese American National Museum (JANM)

Admission: FREE

For more information, visit janm.org

 

Kotohajime

Join the JACCC for the 37th Annual Kotohajime and Shodo for Little Tokyo Halfway Exhibition, and immediately following, the Community Open House of the Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center.

January 5th, 2020, 1:00 PM @ Aratani Theatre

Admission: $18 –$20

For more information, visit jaccc.org

 

 

 

 

 

published on December 7, 2018