Everyone is busy getting ready for New Year!

Marutsune Kamaboko Ten is a shop in Nishiki Market founded over 50 years ago. It is famous for selling kamaboko, but we recommend their creative fried foods, which you can eat on the go. They sell a wide variety, but “Jaga butter ten” is the most popular. There are also unique varieties, like curry flavor. They have menus in English as well, and the shop staff is friendly and helpful. If you want to eat your fried food hot, they will heat it up for you in the microwave.

In Japan, there is a New Year’s Day custom called Otoshi-dama, where adults give gifts to children. As a celebration of New Year, they give children money in a small envelope called a Pochi-Bukuro. We recommend buying Pochi-Bukuro at Suuzando HashimotoーMain Store. It is located a 2-minute walk from Nishiki Market, and it sells postcards, envelopes, and other items made with traditional Japanese paper. All of the products are printed with seasonal Japanese patterns designed by artisans. There is a wide selection of Pochi-Bukuro with cute animal designs. Sending a letter in one of these is sure to make the receiver happy as well.

From late at night on December 31st until dawn, ropes are set alight in “Okera lanterns” at three locations on the grounds of Yasaka Shrine. When taken home and used to kindle a fire for cooking zoni, etc., they are said to bring good health for the year. When the flame is extinguished, the rope is said to be a good luck charm that protects against fires. Keep in mind that you will not be able to bring a burning rope on a bus or train.