Japanese New Year

Japanese New Year is an important holiday in Japan that is celebrated very much like Christmas in the United States. It happens at the end of December, when the year is ending and a new one is beginning. People get together with their families and friends to eat special food, like sushi, mochi, and soba noodles. They also exchange gifts, enjoy fireworks, and go to temples to pray for good luck in the new year. At midnight on New Year's Eve, they watch the 'Temple Bell Strike' on television, which is a special ceremony that marks the start of the new year.