Japan has various new year’s events and traditions.

For example, Japanese usually eat Soba noodle as a meal on the end of year, so-called “Toshikoshi Soba”, which means Soba for the change for new year.

I prepared “Toshikoshi Soba” with one of the best green tea in Shizuoka, “Nozomi Tsuyuhikari”.

This green tea is produced by Hasegawa-Seicha Tea Factory and selected the best award in the World Tea Festival 2016.

Fine loose leaf tea of “Nozomi” Tsuyuhikari, produced by Hasegawa-Seicha Tea Factory.

New year’s letter “Nengajo” is posted for friends and one’s kin to let them know one’s appreciation.
The tea farmer in Kawane region made a unique new year’s card, which envelops tea. This card can send not only one’s appreciation, nice tea also.

Gasho-an sells green tea with new year’s greeting as shown in the below.

Message for celebration for the new year on the package, with a cock, the oriental zodiac animal of 2017.

“Otoso” is the medicinal sake drunk traditionally on “Shogatsu” period (1st to 3rd Jan.) in Japan to remove evils and illness from one’s body. This rice wine is often served for “Hatsumoude” visitors in Japanese shrine.

Shrine priestess serving “Otoso” in a Shinto shrine on a Shogatsu period.

This special sake is made from sake and medical plants. Speaking of medical plants, tea has been known as a medical plant from ancient era, as the Chinese legend (the legend of tea discovery by Shennong) told. Let’s try “Otoso” of tea!
In my trial, “Omiki” and an organic green tea produced in Makinohara were used.

“Omiki” means the sake (Japanese rise wine) offered for natural deities or spirits, in the other word, “Omiki” is a sacred rice wine.
This “Otoso” of tea has strong flavor of tea and sweetness of sake.

In any cases, tea can provide happiness and benefits.
Hopefully, live long and prosper with excellent Shizuoka tea.