For many non-Japanese, especially newcomers to Japan, many of the customs and traditions of New Year may seem hard to understand. New Year or oshogatsu is the most important holiday period in Japan ...

As the clock strikes midnight Dec. 31, the world starts to celebrate the New Year. This celebration often includes traditions ...

Japan's “Oshogatsu “ or "Shogatsu," or New Year's celebrations, are deeply rooted in custom and have great cultural value. Beginning on January 1st and often continuing into the first few days ...

Stores in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from Jan. 1, have been selling tiny figures of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products. Other places in Asia will start marking the Year of the ...

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Happy New Year! Australia, Japan, Hong Kong welcome 2025: See pictures of celebrations ...

Despite an annual warning from authorities, a deadly New Year's trend continued in Japan this week as two people died after choking on mochi — a doughy cake made from steamed sweet rice that is ...