Ōmisoka: New Year’s Eve in Japan

As I’m posting this a few days into the new year, I’m wondering how you spent Your New Year’s Eve. Did you keep any traditions or create new ones? My New Year’s Eve definitely changed from when I was growing up, I went from a solid Flemish “Oudejaarsavond” to a Japanese influenced Ōmisoka.

Back home, the evening always started with bread, cheese, and wine, a cozy Flemish tradition that feels like the perfect way to close the year. These days, though, my celebrations have taken on a Japanese flavor. After that familiar start, we switch to Ōmisoka customs, and the centerpiece is Toshikoshi soba, the “year-crossing noodles.”

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