Japanese New Year is one of the most special times to experience Japanese culture. Not only do you celebrate the New Year with family and friends, but you can also fully experience the Japanese character through a number of traditions and customs. One of the most indispensable things is "mochi". In this article, we will introduce the charm of Japanese New Year and mochi in an easy-to-understand way. Japanese New Year Traditions In Japan, January 1st is celebrated as the first day of the New Year.