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SYOUGATSU

We call the period from January 1st to 3th SYOGATSU.
Strictly speaking, SYOGATSU seems to end on 15th January,
so SYOGATSU might be 1st to 15th January,
however the period we feel SYOGATSU is the first three days of January.


Most people have got a few days off before and after New Year's Day.

We've usually got two days off before New Year's Day.
We must clean our house, replace light bulbs or flurlight,
go shopping and cook food for New Year.

All shops or restaurant used to be closed during SYOGATSU,
so we have to stock foods or drink for three days.

We've continuously got three days off after comming New Year's day.
We tend to be relux at home without going out or working.
That all Japanese people are feel relux means that none is opened,
so actually we have nothing to do outside.
Even housewives don't need to cook because of OSECHI prepared before New Year's comming.
All we can do is to stay at home and eat OSECHI and drink SAKE watching TV.


This SYOGATU style in Japan is changing in these few years.
Department stores and supermarket start to open during SYOGATSU holidays.
We don't need to buy a lot of food for stock, and we don't stay at home.

In fact, I went out with friend, and
my mother went supermarket and cook as usual on 2nd January.

It's melancholy as well as convenient.