The Japanese think that New Year’s Day is the special day because of starting another year. So we don’t spend the day as usual. All the Japanese are pleased with the beginning of the new year, and enjoy spending holidays. There are many ways that we use time. I will explain about three ways by the Japanese.

    First, the Japanese regard the New Year’s Day as a relaxing day. On December 31^st, we clean our house to welcome the new year with our beautiful mind. After we are tired of cleaning, we don’t want to do anything. So, we would like to take a rest with eating the “Osechiryori”, while watching TV and sleeping in Kotatsu. These are very relaxing moments.

    Second, there are many people who go somewhere. Almost people go to temple or shrine to pray; this is, so called “Hatsumoude”. Some people go to mountains or the sea to see the rising sun. It is thought that the New Year’s first sun in the morning is a sign of good luck.

    The last, some Japanese people go shopping to buy "Fuku-bukuro" as soon as the shops are opened. This is the goods that we can buy at the cheaper price than usual. Long time ago, there were not any shops opening on New Year’s Day. But recently, the number of the shops which have no holidays during a year are increasing. Therefore, we can go to various shops.

    In this way, you may understand that Japanese people spend the New Year’s Day feeling at ease at home or going somewhere. Although there are many ways how to spend time, a lot of people look forward to coming the day.