Here are a few things you can experience at the start of the New Year on the beautiful Ryukyu islands, which differ from mainland O-shogatsu.

In Japan, New Years is a holiday of prime significance celebrating culture, family, friendships, and of course the future. Can you prepare yourself for New Years in Japan? Let's see what there is to know first.

Instead of the usual “lose weight”, “get a better job” or “go to the gym every Tuesday” scenario, why not base a realistic (and, let’s face it – fun) Japan or Japanese-based resolution that you can try alone or with friends? How about it?

Did you know the differences between a shrine and a temple in Japan? There are some unique observable feature that can help you find the differences.

Yagiyama Beny Land is a metropolitan amusement park located in Yagiyama, next to Yagiyama Zoological Park. It is a compact park equipped with about 30 attractions from thrill rides to family rides.

Every January, cities and towns all over Japan host Hatsu Ichi festivals.

From late November until the beginning of January, you will start seeing two-layered mochi varieties in different sizes for sale in supermarkets, convenience stores and food stalls everywhere. Let’s take a look into the tradition of the “kagami mochi!”

New Year's, or oshogatsu in Japanese, is the most important holiday in Japan, and it is celebrated quite differently than it is in the West.

In daily life, it is called osyougatsu (お正月) and is one of the most awaited holidays in Japan.

Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, and it can be quite disconcerting to head out on December 25th to find shops open and cars commuting just like any other day.

Otoshidama is a Japanese traditional custom where the adults must give some money to a child in their family.　The meaning of giving otoshidama to children is to give some appreciation to them, and give them some new hopes for the New Year.

As we approach the beginning of yet another new year, my 32nd on this Earth, I look back on 2015 as a year of ups and downs.