Regardless of whether or not your wish was granted, all daruma dolls are burned in a purifying fire as part of the Daruma Kuyo ceremony during the Japanese New Year. In a way, the tradition of burning last year's wish and setting a new one with a new daruma doll resembles the western tradition of the New Year's resolution!
Every aspect of the Japanese New Year is influenced by the local environment. One of the most obvious alterations is the lineup of dishes comprising the osechi that will be eaten for the first week of January. Most of the osechi are locally sourced and prepared by specialty shops in the area, meaning the New Year's menu varies widely based on the shops and products available in your region. Additionally, the Daruma Kuyo is typically held at an actual shrine, and I was surprised to see that in the rural region where Adam's host family lived, the community opted to hold the burning in a vacant rice paddy instead.
