Experience the Traditional Japanese New Year

Kado-matsu

Want to experience the traditional new year in Japan?
Then Fukagawa Edo Museum in Koto-ku, Tokyo, is one of the best places to visit.

Celebrating new year is traditionally the most important event in a year for Japanese people. And at the museum, special exhibition started today, Decembet 26, in which you will find full of new year decorations and performances.

At the entrance of exhibition floor, the spectacular kado-matsu (literally means "gate pine") in front of the merchant house will greets you. It consists of tall bamboo trees and pine leaves, both the symbol of longevity. Smaller kado-matsu are also placed in front of other buildings.

Kagami-mochi

In the boathouses, don't miss the big luxurious Kagami-mochi, layers of round shaped rice cakes decorated with seaweeds and lobster.  In some rooms of Nagaya  (apartment houses), you will find Zouni, a typical new year's soup style meal consists of rice cakes and vegetables. Even pair of special chopsticks are arranged.

If you have a chance to visit the museum on January 2 or 3, you will be very lucky because on these days, they have Shishi-mai (lion dance) performance along with Ohayashi (festival music) performance. It is said that if the lion bites you (well, don't worry, it actually means to put your head into the lion mask's big mouth), you will have a good luck that year!
The performance time : 11am, 1pm, 3pm, January 2 and 3.


New year exhibition of Fukagawa Edo Museum: December 26 - January 14 (museum closed from December 29 to January 1)
On January 2 and 3, the first 50 visitors each will get a special new year's gift from the museum. It opens 9:30 am.

Fukagawa Edo Museum :
The mid-19th century town of Edo (old Tokyo) has been reproduced in real size. You can walk through the street, touch and feel the buildings and tools of 1840's.
Access: 3 minutes- walk from Kiyosumi Shirakawa Station, Oedo Line (Toei Subway) / Hanzomon Line (Tokyo Metro)
Address: 1-3-28 Shirakawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Adults-400yen, Children-50yen (Child or children must be accompanied by parent or guardian ) 

*photos provided by Fukagawa Edo Museum