New Year’s Eve is called “Ōmisoka (大晦日)” in Japanese. Through the ages Japanese people have believed that the Shinto God, Toshigami will visit each household on New Year’s Day. Therefore, in Japan we clean the entire house thoroughly by Ōmisoka. Traditionally on Ōmisoka in Japan we prepare Osechi for New Year’s, and we eat Toshikoshi soba for dinner (please click on the links to read more about these)
