I really don't like shopping at this time of year.
It's similar to the crazy shopping that happens just before Christmas, at least what I remember, pre online shopping.
But I had to shop today. Sunday is always a busy day for shopping, I try to avoid it if I can, but add to that people shopping for New Years holidays made things rather crazy. These little old ladies dashing about trying to get what they think they need to feed their families. Some of them have their husbands following behind, the husbands look totally fed up, they just want to get home, out of the crowds and cold.
Japan has traditional foods for New Years, called Osetchi Ryori. This is presented in beautiful lacquer boxes, two or three tiers high. Each food has a meaning, mainly wishing prosperity and good health for the New Year. These boxes are pre-ordered from about October!
I don't do Japanese traditional food, except the soba noodles (buckwheat noodles) that are eaten New Years Eve, they are eaten for long life. I'll do them for dinner on New Years Eve.
The other things I have planned is shepherd's pie for lunch on New Years Eve. Not really holiday food but I haven't had chance to make it this year so I thought I would do that! New Years Day I'll do yaki niku, basically grilled meat. It's easy to do!
Also I'm planning to bake, not sure what but I really want to spend time doing that!
On the way back we saw the local train go by. I managed to snap a photo.
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| Small local train |
Something very Japanese about this photo, small train, level crossing, mountains in the background.
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