Norizome January 02, 2005 Yonozu, Japan Seamen fully dressed in haori and hakama, circle the Yonozu Bay in fishing boats decorated with "flags for good catch" and Japan's "Rising-Sun" flags. Contact Information:

Gion Okera Festival December 31, 2004 - January 01, 2005 Kyoto, Japan Into the night, visitors are welcomed to Yasaka shrine to receive pieces of a special rope, burning with fire made of a medicinal herb called okera (Atractylis Ovata.) It is believed that cooking the first meal of the new year over a this fire will prevent the coming of illness, and bring good luck to a family. Contact Information: Phone: 88-22-2800

Bean Throwing Festival (Setsubun Matsuri) February 03 - February 04, 2005 Nation Wide, Japan Setsubun marks the last day of winter according to the lunar calendar. Throughout Japan, people crowd in throngs at temple grounds and throw beans to drive away imaginary devils, shouting, "Fortune in, Devils out!" The last day of winter is celebrated nationwide. Contact Information:

Ganjitsu - Japanese New Year January 01 - January 03, 2005 Nation Wide, Japan Almost nobody in Japan works on the first three days of the new year. Oshogatsu, or New Year's, originally referred to the whole of January, but now refers to these three days. People go to shrines, visit friends and relatives, drink sake and eat special new year dishes, children play card games and fly kites, and pine decorations for the New Year are hung at the front of the gate to symbolizes a tree provided for the descent of the gods. Contact Information: Phone: 415-989-7140

Mishima People's New Year's Eve Festival December 31, 2004 - January 01, 2005 Mishima, Japan After receiving everyone's wishes for the coming year and ringing the New Year Bell, Mitsu Ishi shrine will treat its New Year's guests to "Toshikoshi soba" (noodles reserved for consumption during this holiday season) and sacred wine--and excellent way to usher in an auspicious new year! Contact Information: Phone: 81-559-75-3111

Bean Throwing Ceremony (Setsubun) February 03, 2005 Taito, Japan Sensoji temple is one of many locations around the country where Setsubun is celebrated. Here, celebrities are often invited to throw beans and chant the traditional cry 'Out with evil, in with luck!" Setsubun is a prayer to welcome the spring and ward off disasters and evil. Contact Information:

New Year's Shrine Visit (Hatsumode) January 01, 2005 Nation Wide, Japan Millions of people gather at the nation's shrines to pray for good health and prosperity for their families in the coming year. Women in particular often dress in their best kimono, making this an excellent chance for visitors to Japan to see a more traditional side of the country. Contact Information:

Ippan Sanga January 02, 2005 Tokyo, Japan Join a crowd of thousands to see and hear a live new year's greeting given by the Emperor and Empress of Japan--in a part of the Imperial Palace now usually open to members of the public! Contact Information:

Horan-enya January 01, 2005 Bungo-takada, Japan Some time during the Edo period, the people of Bungo-takada began the custom of setting out on the water early on New Year's day to pray for safety and large fishing catches, and offer supplication. At the moment that the gifts are offered, men standing on the banks of the sea plunge into the ice water and swim to the opposite shore, in a feat of extraordinary fortitude. Contact Information:

First Ride of the Year on the Fishing Boat Festival (Ryosen Norizome) January 02, 2005 Nishiizu, Japan Beginning at 9 a.m., fishermen hang red and white banners in the shape of fish from their boats and everyone aboard prays for a safe and abundant fishing catch in the coming year. Contact Information: Phone: 81-558-52-1268 Website: http://www.izu-kankou.or.jp/nishiizu/look/WIa30020.htm

Mishima Bean Throwing Festival (Setsubun) February 03, 2005 Mishima, Japan The night before February 4th, called Setsubun, has long been seen as an important turning point in the cycle of the Japanese seasons because it marks the boundary between winter and spring. At this Mishima celebration, respected men over the age of 75 are chosen to throw the traditional setsubun beans to an expectant crowd, who welcome spring by receiving the beans which are thought to block out devils, ward against evil, and bring good fortune. Please contact the Mishima Taisha shrine for more information. Contact Information: Phone: 81-559-75-0172

New Year Parade of Firemen (Dezome-shiki) January 06, 2005 Tokyo, Japan During this parade, agile firemen in traditional attire perform acrobatic stunts while on top of tall bamboo ladders. The parade route is along Harumi Chuo-dori Street. Contact Information:

New Year's Morning Festival (Shin Shun Gantan Sai) January 01, 2005 Toi, Japan Give thanks for the previous year and make New Year's requests such as safety for your household and safety from traffic accidents to the spirits presiding over this festival, and you can be treated to free rice wine and sticky balls of rice called mochi which is pounded into its traditional form before your very eyes! Though mochi remains a cherished element of the New Year's traditional celebration, the process of making it by hand, pounding the special boiled rice with wooden mallets until it reaches the perfect sticky consistency to become delectable rice balls, seems sadly to be giving way to mechanical mixing. This delightful New Year's festival offers an excellent chance to experience real mochi-making while it is still possible to do so. Please contact the Toi Tourism Association for more information. Contact Information: Phone: 81-558-98-1212 Website: http://www.izu-kankou.or.jp/toi/look/TIa30020.htm