New Year’s is one of the best times in Japan, at least for eating and relaxing. Shogatsu, the New Year’s holiday, is celebrated from midnight on December 31st until January 3rd or 4th, or even longer by diehards. People in Japan believe that a proper beginning to the year will ensure that the entire year is happy and prosperous, which is why this tradition is so important. It is supposed to be bad form to cook food on the first few days of the year, so people prepare all the food that they need for the holiday season a day or two in advance. All of these New Year’s recipes are fast to make, easy, and quite delicious. Start your New Year’s off well rested and healthy.