In Japan, Christmas is not a holiday observed but many companies declare it as holidays.Here its called the winter break.Its stretches up to a few days after the New Year.A few weeks before the NY, nengajou are sold everywhere. nenggajou are new year greeting cards, mostly in the form of postcards. almost everyone in Japan from students to old people write this greetings to show say thanks especially to former bosses, teachers, relatives, parents, friends etc..practically everybody. also, never forget to also send to those whom sent you nenggajou last year!
the interesting thing about the nenggajou is that you will have to post it by a certain date determined and announced by the Japan Post. this year, if you want the postcards to arrive on the 1st of January, the postcards need to be posted by the 26th of December. Then, can you imagine the speed of work of the Japan Post and the sorting they have to do? On the new years day, usually families will receive postcards in bundles and will read it together after New Years brunch..
Last year, i didn't get to spend the new year the Japanese way. but this year, i did. On the eve of the new year, the Japanese will have soba..a type of noodle which is made from soba buckwheat flour, eaten with soup made with soy sauce, dashi (japanese flavoring from fish and sometimes seaweed) and green onion. Soba is said to give the meaning of longevity, prosperity because of the long noodle...eaten with Shichimi Togarashi (Seven flavour Chilli Pepper).
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