MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The month of January includes six local and regional events offering attendees opportunities to continue building partnerships among their Japanese neighbors.
Hatsu-moude “First visit to a shrine of the year”
Date: Jan. 1, 2019
Location: Various Locations
Visit a shrine or a temple to make New Year wishes for health and happiness. This is one of the New Year’s tradition in Japan. When you visit a shrine, make sure you follow the instruction: wash your hands to purify ourselves then place a monetary offering in the box, bow twice deeply, clap our hands slowly and bow once deeply.
Aviation Museum Mochi Pounding
Date: Jan. 2 and 3, 2019, Noon
Location: Entrance Hall of Misawa Aviation & Science Museum (GPS: 40.708399, 141.390957)
Hand making New Year tradition "Mochi-tuski" (Rice Cake): pounding steamed rice with a wooden hammer and bowl. You can enjoy pounding rice cake and tasting after making.
Back to Showa Photo Exhibit
Date: Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 3, 2019 (Closes on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 to Jan. 1, 2019)
Location: Special exhibit room of Misawa Aviation & Science Museum (GPS: 40.708399, 141.390957)
A nostalgic memory display of Misawa city during the Showa era (1926-1989).
The 29th New Year Fresh Concert
Date: Jan. 6, 2019, Open 2:30 p.m. Starts 3 p.m.
Location: Misawa International Center, (GPS: 40.679639, 141.402745)
Open for public. Misawa resident students and graduates will perform Classic music.
Happy New Year from Hacchi
Date: Jan. 2, 2019
Location: Portal site Hacchi (GPS: 40.510042, 141.491035)
New Year’s tradition as Kaki-zome (The first writing, using a brush and black writing ink), Kagura (sacred music and dancing), Minyo (Japanese folk song). Mochi (Rice Cake) pounding will be held at Machiniwa across the Hacchi.
Arts Towada Winter Illumination 2018
Date: Dec. 7, 2018 to Feb. 24, 2019; 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Location: Art Park on Koma Kaido (front of the Towada Art Museum) (GPS: 40.614227, 141.209121)
Enjoy a magical world of fantasy art, illuminated with about 300,000 blue LED lights!