Continuing the tradition of the Japanese New Year
New Year's Events at Happo-en
As part of the traditional culture experience, a “spinning top class that anyone can do” was held by Yuji Fujita, the director of the Japanese Top Music Museum
For the past 20 years, Happo-en has hosted a special “Mochi-tsuki” event, which is a traditional New Year's activity in Japan.
Rice is treasured as a sacred as rice is a food that strengthens the life force of people. It is said that this is the reason why people began to make mochi-tsuki (rice cakes) on festive or special occasions. Since mochi-tsuki is not something you can do alone, it is important to build a sense of community, which is why every year this event gathers hundreds of people. The Happo-en chefs serve freshly made mochi (rice cakes) to guests while others take turns experiencing pounding mochi or trying the other traditional New Year’s games, all of which makes for a lively New Year's event with lots of smiling faces.