This is taught to young Japanese children growing up, so it becomes a habit as they grow up.
When you feel ill, wear a mask if going in public. Masks were first worn in Japan in the 1870s and its normalized usage increased after several flu outbreaks over the decades. However, Japanese people also wear masks if they suffer from dust or pollen allergies, skin imperfections, for a fashion statement, or even to cope with social anxiety.
- *New Year's (January 1): Unlike America, New Years is the biggest family reunion holiday and considered more important than Christmas. It is usually spent quietly at home with family while eating mikan (mandarin oranges) for dessert and watching T.V. If you want to celebrate the New Year the “American way,” you can go to amusement parks offering firework shows.
- Joya-no-kane (New Year's Eve Bell): A Japanese Buddhist tradition of ringing the temple bell 108 times (symbolizing the 108 earthly desires) to ward off bad temptations to purify the new year.
- Osechi-ryori (symbolic New Year's meal): A decorative meal consisting of many small dishes each symbolizing various good fortunes.
- Hatsumode (first worship of the year): Japanese people go a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine of their choice to pray for the new year and buy omamori (amulets or lucky charm pouch).
- Fukubukuro (lucky bag): A Japanese New Year tradition where shops gather items together into a bag to sell like an on-sale "surprise box".
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