Now, it’s afternoon, and I’m feeling a bit hungry again, let’s have some “お雑煮” (Ozoni).
（The first part is here.https://family-life-lab.com/lifestyle/food/884）
“お雑煮” (Ozoni),mochi and vegetable soup
Besides osechi, another essential New Year’s dish is ozoni, a soup with various ingredients, such as mochi and vegetables, added to dashi broth.
My family’s ozoni is a clear broth with grilled mochi, chicken, and kamaboko. This is a Kanto-style ozoni.
By the way,Ozoni varies in taste from household to household. Even with the same Kanto style, my friend’s home makes it like this.The way vegetables are cut varies.
Furthermore,Ozoni flavors vary across Japan; for example, Kyoto uses white miso, and Niigata creates a dish with a variety of ingredients like mackerel, fish cakes, and vegetables.The photo below is of Ozoni made by a friend from Niigata.
As the day goes by, we engage in the cycle of eating, drinking, and chatting, enjoying a leisurely New Year’s.
(However, this year, on New Year’s Day, there was a strong earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture. My condolences to those who lost their lives.)
“初詣”（Hatsumōde）, an essential part of the New Year’s beginning.
Now, onto the next day, where we go for the first shrine visit, known as “初詣” (Hatsumode).
Hatsumode is a ritual of visiting shrines or temples at the beginning of the year to pray for peace and safety. This year, I visited “寒川神社” (Kankawa Jinja), a popular shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Upon arrival, I noticed a long line of people walking, and it was quite crowded. Security personnel were present, and after waiting for about 90 minutes, I finally had the opportunity to make my offering.
The actual prayer takes less than a minute. After bowing twice and clapping twice, I clasped my hands in prayer. The shrine visit was brief, with a continuous flow of people. This year, I prayed for the success of my work.
Many food stalls lined the area, offering items like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and baked potatoes. It was lively and enjoyable, with many families present.
While it’s not a quiet prayer experience, the festive atmosphere adds to the auspiciousness of the occasion.
And so, with these celebrations, as work resumes, the day returns to normal.
