January 9th 2022 O.A.

Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo (Japanese New Year Celebration in Little Tokyo)

January 1st was “Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo.”

This event is held by JCCSC for the 24th time, offering the Japanese New Years experience.
The event was held virtually last year due to COVID-19, so an actual event was held for the first time in 2 years.

The JACCC Plaza was the main venue this year with the help from JACCC.

The event started on New Year’s Eve where DJ artists collaborated with “Anime Wonderland” and performed J-pop.
Everyone enjoyed their last day of 2021.

Then, New Year’s Day.
President Haruo Takehana of JCCSC and Consul General Akira Muto said their greetings at the opening ceremony.

Then, sake barrel breaking by the representatives of each Japanese organization took place, and mochi were tossed and given to the guests.

Shodo calligraphy demonstration, folk song, aikido, and kimono fashion show were performed on the stage lighting up the New Year’s Day.

People formed long lines for food booths like: yakisoba, karaage, yakitori, curry, ramen, sweets along with festive foods like amazake and mochi.

At the liquor section where guests can have 1 drink per person, Japanese sake, beer, shochu, and chuhai cocktails were served.

There were different booths as well.
At the mini shrine, safety was prayed for the year, and kids did their New Year’s writing at the shodo booth.

There was a sub stage at the Japanese Village Plaza and many people visited there as well.

Many people visited the Koyasan Buddhist Temple and paid their first visit of the year.
Long lines were formed due to COVID-19 safety measures, but visitors got their paper fortune and purchased their charm for a good year.

The event was blessed with great weather and everyone enjoyed their Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo for the first time in 2 years.