英語版

52Dec.2023
Minami Lounge will be closed from Dec.29,2023 to Jan.3, 2024!
The year 2023 will end in a few days and the new year 2024 will start. Let’s try Japanese New year customs this year!

DecemberYear-end big clean up (General Cleaning)

Clean the dust of previous year to welcome thenew year.
Nengajo
A greeting card for new year. Write and send the card during December, so it will
arrive on the new years day.
End of December →Prepare kagamimochi (rice cake for the god) in the room and put kadomatsu
and shimekazari (to greet the god) in front of the house.

Toshikoshi soba Eat soba(buckwheat noodle) on December 31st.

January 1-3 New Year Let’s greet New Year by saying“Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu” (Happy New Year in Japanese)
It is a holiday in Japan and many people have their day off. A lot of people return to their hometown
from the previous year to celebrate the new year.
※Be aware! Many hospital , city hall and stores are closed due to the new year holiday

OzouniOsechi
Hatsumoude
Otoshidama

A soup with rice cake inside. It is eaten on new years day to wish for good health.
Lots of Japanese delicacies packed in a square bento box. You can buy it indepartment store, super market, and also on internet.
A first visit to the shrine & temple of the new year.
Special allowance given to children on New Year’s day.

January 7th Nanakusagayu

Eat rice porridge with 7 types of Japanese vegetables and hope for good health.

Let’s hear the New Year Rituals ofOther Countries!

In USA or in UK, many people
have a count down party withfriends and relatives. Since newyear holiday is just after thelong Christmas holiday, itfinishes fast. Many working
places starts from January 2nd.

(From Minami Lounge Language Staff)

Tagalog Staff

Thai Staff

Philippines celebrate new year onJanuary 1st . The day before the newyear is very busy . We prepare 12 to13 types of circular fruits, open all thedoors in the house to welcome good
fortune and wear polka dot designed
clothes with pockets full of coins towish for having enough money . Just
before 0:00am of Jan. 1st, we jumphigh to wish for good health.
Thai celebrate new year “SongkranFestival” on April 13th. On that day
we go to the temple and clean thebuddha statues. When we return
home, we sprinkle water on ourparents and grand parents hands(hands of the elderly). And at last
we sprinkle water between thefamily members.

English Staff

Chinese Staff

Chinese Staff

Chinese new year date differs
every year. The way ofcelebrating also differs by thedistrict. In my district, we eat
special feast with our family on
new years eve. Fried dumplingis eaten in many households. If
your fried dumpling have a coininside, you are lucky!
On the new years day,everyone wear new clothes
and go greet friends and boss of
the working place. Forgot tomention the most important
ritual! We put the decorationof Chinese character “Luck“ upside down for good fortune.

みなみ市民活動・多文化共生ラウンジ情報紙 英語版

Minna no “Wa!” Festa 2023 was Held!
Minami Lounge’s big event “Minna no “Wa!” Festa” had been hosted on a sunny day at our lounge. Almost
1,000people visited Minami lounge and the event was a huge success.
Tea of the World
A volunteer participated thisbooth said “I am happy to havea chance to introduce my homecountry culture to many people!
I never had a chance like thisbefore.”Foods of the World
Foods from 5 countries; Indonesia,Thai, Vietnam, Korea and China
were sold.

Chinese DragonDance wasperformed by thechildren of YOCS
Kindergarten.

Stage Performance
Enjoyable worldwide stages had been performed. There
were band performances, Thai & Philippines dance
performances , and Ukrainian dance and song
performances.

Try on Booth

Activity Information/Experiencing Program
Everyone enjoyed the activities.

Many People
tried kimono onand had taken theirpictures at thephoto spot.

Japanese Speech
12 foreign students have talked about theirnative culture and their impression ofJapanese living

Multicultural Volunteer
Mr. Sapkota had been interested of Japanese culture & technology from his
youthhood and came to Japan on 2007 as an international student. He studiedinternational business and opened his own shop in Naka-ward.
He registered as a Minami lounge multicultural volunteer by his friend’srecommendation. Mr. Sapkota helps Minami lounge by translating , interpreting andalso visiting schools to help students with his native tongue. The pictures in the right
Mr. Sapkota
was taken when he was a moderator in Minami lounge’s event “Minna no “Wa!” Festa”.
From Nepal
He told us “Many people helped me when I came to Japan, Now it Is my turn to give it
Been in Japan for 16 years
back. I want to help others.”
Minami Citizens Activity & Multicultural Lounge (Minami Lounge)
Urafune Fukugo Fukushi Shisetsu 10F, 3-46 Urafune-cho
Minami-ku, Yokohama 232-0024①Consultation Desk (Free of charge) : Mon.-Sun. 9:00-17:00(Closed on ：Every 3rd Mondays・ Dec.29 to Jan.3)
Tel. ： （Japanese）
045-232-9544（Foreign Language） 045-242-0888※Please check below for available languages② Free of charge consultation :Law (2nd Thurs), Visa (3rd Thurs) and Education (4th Thurs)※ 13:30-, 14：30- (Appointment needed. Tel.045-242-0888）【Available languages and days】★ Minami Lounge is operated by YOKE on behalf of Minami Ward Office

Minami Lounge URL
https://tabunka.min
amilounge.com/◀ Direction Map