Toshikoshi Soba 2015

As is tradition at VAOJ, here are the new year's noodles shots. Thank you for your kindness and efforts during this last year. Can't wait to eat those noodles!

Toshikoshi Soba 2013

It is a tradition here at VAOJ to document the purchase of toshikoshi soba ("end of the year soba noodles") on New Year's Eve (2011, 2012). This year is no exception. I got to the local shop even earlier this year and was able to get my noodles and all the fixings (soup, shrimp tempura, beef, dried tofu) with no trouble. The shop is popular and has a steady stream of customers from morning to evening. As I bought the soba the shop clerk recognized me: "You're the one who takes pictures every year..." Another customer asked if the shop would still be selling soba later in the evening. The clerk said that most likely they would be sold out by then. So the customer got on his cell phone to consult with his wife about what to buy. Research pays off.

Thanks to all of my students, colleagues and VAOJ readers for all of their efforts in 2013. And thanks everyone at the soba shop for letting me take their photos every year - and for the great soba! 良いお年を!

Last Day of the Year: Toshikoshi Soba

I learned my lesson in 2011 and went to the local soba shop early this year and there were plenty of noodles left to buy (I also brought my D-700 rather than my now 1 year old iPhone.). The shop is next to a train station and so there is a lot of foot traffic. It seemed that nobody could resist stopping and buying some soba to ring out 2012 and welcome the new year 2013.

Another end of the year tradition is oosouji (大掃除) - this is akin to spring cleaning in the west. People clean and tend to every dirty detail in their homes and shops. The picture below is a man cleaning the top of a small shrine next to the train station. The photo was taken through a window as I was riding an escalator up to the train platform. 

The last picture below is of a shop window in dire need of oosouji... A good reminder that not all Japanese people follow all traditions...

2012 was a great year. The fall semester ended on a good note; the last several days have been spent at Christmas parties and end-of-the-year parties. A neighbor gave us a big crab, a highly desirable winter delicacy. Thanks to all of my students, colleagues and VAOJ readers for all of their efforts this last year. 良いお年を!

Last Day of the Year, Last Toshikoshi Soba...

On New Year's Eve in many parts of Japan it is traditional to eat soba noodles called toshikoshi soba, or "end of the year soba." We usually buy the noodles and soup mixing from a local shop and they are always busy selling soba at the end of the year. I went there today around 4:00 PM and was lucky to get the last package of soba. Must remember to get there earlier next year.

Please note that these photos were taken with my new iPhone 4s, the acquisition of which was one of the last big events of 2011 (and I'm still trying to learn how to use the thing...).

Thank you for your attention and efforts during 2011. Happy Holidays from VAOJ!