Happy New Year everyone!
Thank you for reading our news and supporting MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON.
With the 2020 games on the horizon, the world is starting to focus its attention on Japan more than ever before. That means that we’re going to pull out all the stops to provide you with even more Japan news.
We hope you stay with us for 2020 and beyond!
This year, we’re celebrating New Year with Otoshidama. Otoshidama is the Japanese custom which celebrates New Year with gift-giving. This traditionally involves adults giving money to children in their family. To thank all our readers who have been continuously supporting us throughout the years, here are a few otoshidama just for you so don’t hold back!
How to apply
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Weibo and like our otoshidama New Year’s gift campaign post for a chance to get your hands on a gift. If you particularly like one of the gifts, you can directly apply on our social media. *You are not guaranteed to receive which gift you get.
Otoshidama 1
A Free Stay at MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS For One Person
Enjoy a stay at our private accommodation MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS. Choose between staying in the ORIGAMI room on the fourth floor or at SAKURA on the fifth floor. Located in Harajuku, our themed rooms have become a sensation on social media and this is your chance to stay at one for free!
*You have to cover your own transport fees
MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS：https://rooms.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/
Otoshidama 2
Autographed SILENT SIREN Towel (Two Available)
Each member of the all-female band SILENT SIREN, who feature on our series Sai Sai Jaran Jaran, have signed two merchandise towels – what an irresistible gift for a Sai Sai fan!
SILENT SIREN：https://silent-siren.com/
Otoshidama 3
Yutaro Polaroid Photograph with Message (Two Available)
If you’re a fan of actor and model Yutaro, who features in our Date with Yutaro series, then this is the perfect gift for you. The lucky winners will each receive a polaroid photo of Yutaro with a message written on them. Yutaro has recently been busy featuring in a number of dramas and movies so keep an eye on him in 2020 and beyond!
Yutaro’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaaoe__/
Otoshidama 4
Sanrio Hello Kitty Set: Fringe Clip and HI-TEC-C-COLETO 4-Colour Ballpoint Pens (Two Available)
Hello Kitty fans won’t be able to resist this popular Sanrio character’s gift set. The fringe clip is a hit product for being both functional and adorable. This is the perfect way to completely tidy away each strand of hair in a quick ad easy way. Now you can wash your face or get on with your desk work with ease and in style. The HI-TEC-C-COLETO 4-colour ballpoint pen is very high quality – typical of Japanese stationery. It is easy to use and precise with no smudging. You will love the way it glides smoothly across the page.
Fringe Clip: https://shop.sanrio.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=29723
HI-TEC-C-COLETO 4-Colour Ballpoint Pen: https://shop.sanrio.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=63153
©’76, ’20 SANRIO 著作（株）サンリオ
Otoshidama 5
Kyoto Black Thunder (Three Boxes Available)
Japan’s popular chocolate Black Thunder collaborated with Kyoto matcha to create the popular Kyoto souvenir ‘Kyoto Black Thunder’. Bitter matcha is combined with chocolate and chocolate biscuit pieces for the perfect crunchy treat filled with delicious Kyoto matcha.
Official Website: https://www.yurakuseika.co.jp/kanko/kbt/
Otoshidama 6
LEGOLAND JAPAN Ballpoint Pen and Notebook (Three Available)
After our adventure to LEGOLAND JAPAN in Nagoya, we brought back some LEGOLAND souvenirs for our readers. There was just so much to discover at LEGOLAND in Nagoya. You just have to check out LEGOLAND JAPAN because there is so much to discover.
Official Website: https://www.legoland.jp/
Otoshidama 7
Samurai Keyrings (Three Available)
Three of Japan’s historically famous samurai have been turned into Keyrings. If you’re interested in Japanese samurai history, then this gift is perfect for you. The three samurai now in keyring form are: Katakura Kagetsuna, Yamamoto Kansuke and Naoe Kanetsugu. With a bit of research, you’ll fall in love with these keyrings even more! If you’re the lucky winner, anticipating which one you will get will be very exciting.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Weibo and like our otoshidama New Year’s gift campaign post for a chance to get your hands on a New Year’s gift!
RELATED ENTRIES
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Lifestyle shop KEYUCA is known for its eclectic collection of original clothing, food, and home goods. On December 24, the company will release the new 'Saiun' series to its popular Hagi ware line, which will include new cups and plates perfect to use during the New Year's holiday!
[Hagi ware] Colored Cloud Cup: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)
[Hagi ware] Colored Cloud Plate: ¥2,350 (Tax Included)
KEYUCA's colorful new items remain classy while offering a different take on traditional tableware. Hagi ware is a type of Japanese pottery that originated from the town of Hagi, Yamaguchi, and these pieces usually feature natural and subdued colors. This made them popular with feudal lords, but modern audiences are looking for something a little more chic.Simple Color Chopsticks, 5-piece Set: ¥1,760 (Tax Included)
[Mino ware] Small Dish: ¥429 (Tax Included)
Along with these new Hagi ware pieces, a number of other items are also available at reasonable prices, such as colorful small dishes perfect for kaiseki and festive chopsticks. -
From December 31, 2021, until January 3, 2022, Ginza Cozy Corner locations nationwide will be selling a limited edition New Year's cake featuring the Tiger from the Chinese Zodiac!
Chinese Zodiac Tiger Cake
Fortune Cookies (10 pieces)
New Year Madeleines (6 pieces)
New Year's Grab Bag (24 pieces / 40 pieces)
Ginza Cozy Corner began selling a variety of New Year's-themed sweets starting in 2011. Traditionally, families in Japan enjoy a luxurious boxed meal called osechi on New Year's Day, and the company wanted to provide something to satisfy people's sweet tooth afterward! This year is the Year of the Tiger, making this chocolate and banana cake the perfect way to welcome 2022. Shops will also be selling other sweets like fortune cookies and mini Madeleine cakes, so there's something to bring a smile to everyone's face.Information
Chinese Zodiac Tiger Cake
Available: December 31, 2021 – January 3, 2022
Where to Buy: Cozy Corner Locations Nationwide
Official Site: https://www.cozycorner.co.jp/
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Until the New Year, the Roppongi Hills Observation Deck will be hosting a number of winter events for those wanting to celebrate with the Tokyo skyline.
The Observation Deck will be decorated especially for the New Year’s holiday, and in addition to being able to see the first glimpse of Mt. Fuji for 2022, guests can take advantage of a special photo service and Twitter campaign. Seeing Japan’s most famous mountain covered in snow is a magnificent way to bring in what will hopefully be a better year. THE SUN & THE MOON, the restaurant attached to the 52nd floor indoor observatory Tokyo City View, will also feature a special Tiger-themed drink inspired by the 2022 Chinese zodiac. The Geminids meteor shower viewing event will also be held on the Sky Deck on December 13 and 14, while the Christmas star gazing event can also be enjoyed on these dates. The ‘60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii’ exhibition is currently underway at Tokyo City View. Starting on December 26, the exhibition’s main piece called the ‘Unforgettable Tower’ will be transformed into its anniversary edition. At THE SUN & THE MOON, both the cafe and restaurant will also offer anniversary-themed dishes for a limited time in collaboration with the Sanrio exhibition. Photo spots around the venue will also be revamped for the New Year. The Roppongi Hills Observation Deck is currently hosting ‘Christmas in the Sky 2021.’ Information
Tokyo City View (Indoor Observatory) / Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52F
Sky Deck (Rooftop Observatory) / Roppongi Hills Mori Tower Rooftop
Hours:
Tokyo City View – 10:00-22:00 (Last Entry at 21:30)
Sky Deck – 11:00-20:00 (Last Entry at 19:30) *From 11:00-22:00 on December 26 (Last Entry at 21:30)
Official Site: http://tcv.roppongihills.com/
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Ginza Cozy Corner, a popular cake store in Tokyo, has started accepting preorders for its beautiful selection of New Years' mini-cake sets, called Sweets Osechi. In Japan, osechi refers to traditional foods eaten on New Years Day, which come in a special box, not unlike a bento box. Of course, they aren’t usually packed with sweets, but these look absolutely scrumptious. In 2011, Ginza Cozy Corner started the ‘First Sweets’ tradition to invite people to welcome the new year by enjoying some sweets after finishing the traditional osechi dishes. This is when the idea of Sweets Osechi was born, sure to put a smile on your face going into 2022!
9-piece Sweets Osechi: ¥2,400 (Tax Included)
12-piece Sweets Osechi: ¥3,000 (Tax Included)
This year’s selection includes tarts featuring the Chinese zodiac sign of the Tiger and the first sunrise of 2022. Each set will come in a special box in a bright red design perfectly exemplifying the holiday spirit!Information
Sweets Osechi
Preorders Now Open
*Preorders will close as soon as items sell out.
*Preorders can only be made in-store. Online preorders will not be accepted.
Official Site: https://www.cozycorner.co.jp/
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Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi is set to celebrate the New Year with a festival that will run from January 2 to 11 in 2021.
New Year's Feast
From Left: Miyagawacho Suiren / SILIN Fuan Long Yuen / UNION SQUARE TOKYO／Kisentei
Restaurants in Tokyo Midtown will be serving up a feast for the New Year from Japanese wagyu beef to seafood and more, all to prepare everyone for a luck-filled and positive 2021. Running: January 2, 2021 - January 11, 2021 Participating Restaurants: Miyagawacho Suiren / SILIN Fuan Long Yuen / UNION SQUARE TOKYO／Kisentei SILIN / Philippe Mille Tokyo / Le Pain Quotidien / RIO BREWING & CO. BISTRO AND GARDEN / Pizzeria-Trattoria Napule / HAL YAMASHITA Tokyo / NIRVANA New York / Maruya / THE COUNTER RoppongiNew Year's Greeting Souvenirs
SAKE SHOP Fukumitsuya / Toraya
There will be no shortage of New Year's greetings souvenirs at Tokyo Midtown, whether it be a set of sake with a special 2021 Year of the Ox label from SAKE SHOP Fukumitsuya or a fruity and colourful confection from Toraya. The pictured confection is made up of colourful layers to represent building up the fruits of one's labour to achieve your dreams.Shishimai Lion Dance
The traditional shishimai lion dance is an annual New Year's-must in Japan. This year's performance will see the return of taiko drumming and the fue flute, all carried out with proper social distancing measures. Running: January 2, 2021 - January 3, 2021 Time: 4 times per day Location: Tokyo Midtown Galleria Information
Tokyo Midtown New Year 2021
Address: 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, TokyoRunning: January 2, 2021 – January 11, 2021
Official Website: https://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/index.html
*Opening hours different on January 2 and 3*Opening hours subject to change or full closure – check the official website for the latest information
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McDonald's Japan is collaborating with the camping and outdoor brand Coleman to release fukubukuro lucky bags for the New Year in limited quantities.
McDonald's Fukubukuro 2021 | ¥3,000 (Tax Included)
Those in Japan can sign up to enter a lottery to win one of the bags up until December 22, 2020 at 23:59 (JST).Tote Bag / Square Pouch / Mug
The lucky bags include a variety of merchandise combining McDonald's and Coleman designs as well as an alarm clock, a McDonald's voucher priced at ¥3,160, and more.Fries Clock / McDonald's Voucher Gold McCard | ¥500
One in every ten lucky bags also contains a Gold McCard voucher worth ¥500 too.Information
McDonald’s Fukubukuro 2021
Web Applications: Until December 22, 2020 at 23:59 (JST)Winners Contacted: December 24, 2020
Fukubukuro Delivered: January 1, 2021 – January 3, 2021
Campaign Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/fukubukuro/