In Japanese, New Year’s Eve is called “Omisoka.”
A traditional way of spending New Year’s Eve in Japan is for family to gather together and wait all night for Toshigami-sama, or literally “a god,” to visit their home.
Toshigami-sama is a Shinto god who is thought to visit house after house at New Year to bring happiness to people. He is also said to be a god of agriculture, who brings a good harvest, and the spirits of ancestors who protect people from disasters and other bad things.
At Omisoka Night, we will eat Toshikoshi-soba.
Toshikoshi means “entering the new year.” Soba are buckwheat noodles.
Toshikoshi-shoba has a meaning of praying to god for brining luck and longer life.