Celebrate Japanese New Year with Mochi Candy Treats!

Mochi candy isn't just a delicious treat, it’s steeped in Japanese New Year traditions. From its sweet, chewy flavors to its deep cultural symbolism, mochi candy serves as a modern, accessible way to celebrate the season of renewal that marks the beginning of each new year in Japan.

Whether you’re learning about these traditional Japanese customs for the first time, or you’re looking for a creative new way to integrate them into your own New Year’s celebrations, join us as we explore the beauty and importance of Japanese New Year traditions. We’ll even discover a few of our favorite new mochi candy products along the way!

Shogatsu: Japan’s Most Important Holiday

The Japanese New Year, or Shogatsu, is considered to be the most important national holiday in Japan. The celebration usually takes place over several days, typically from December 31st through January 3rd. These celebrations are deeply rooted in the themes of renewal, reflection, and family.

While they share similar aspects to the way we celebrate New Year’s Eve in the United States, like watching fireworks, and the ultimate countdown to midnight to ring in the start of the new year, there are some major differences in Japan’s celebrations.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, Temple bells are rung 108 times, with the 107th occurring at 11:59PM on December 31st, and the 108th being at 12:00 midnight on January 1st. Each bell ring is meant to symbolize the purification of the 108 earthly desires from the Buddhist ritual joya no kane. This is a stark contrast to the Times Square ball drop and the intense buildup of the final ten second countdown we celebrate with in America each year!

Another major distinction is that most businesses are closed in Japan from January 1st through January 3rd, so families have extra time to spend together while ringing-in the new year.

Celebrating a Fresh Start: Out with the Old, In with the New!

Perhaps the most fascinating and difficult to explain aspect of Japanese New Year customs is that in Japan, each year is viewed as completely separate from the prior, meaning that each year offers a fresh start – and a chance for some good luck! This mindset encourages everyone to wrap up all outstanding tasks, settle debts, and resolve any issues before the year ends.

Homes are also thoroughly cleaned – similar to a “spring cleaning” as part of a practice called osoji. This extensive cleaning symbolizes sweeping away bad luck and preparing the home for good fortune in the year ahead. Japanese people often attend bonekai parties, which literally translates into “forget the year gathering” where you leave the old year’s worries and troubles behind. This ensures that you can begin the new year fresh and completely stress-free.

As January 1st is a very auspicious day for Japanese people, many stay up all night, or get up very early to watch the first sunrise of the new year. This is the true representation of the commencement of the new year, and since everyone’s house and clothes are cleaned, there should be no stress or anger to start off the new year because all of the work has been done.

Traditions of Good Fortune: Visiting Shrines and Temples

Over the first three days of January, millions of Japanese residents visit local shrines and temples for a custom called hatsumode, or the year’s first prayer. These visits are a time to express gratitude, pray for prosperity, and purchase lucky charms or omamori for health, happiness, and success.

Some grocery stores and markets even sell traditional decorations and foods during this season, helping families prepare for their celebrations. If you’re lucky, you might even spot cherry blossom (Sakura) motifs adorning many of the festive items, symbolizing hope, rebirth, and the impermanence of beauty.

Kagami Mochi: A Symbol of Renewal and Unity

One of the most significant New Year traditions in Japan is the symbolic preparation and decoration of kagami mochi or “mirror rice cakes”. These are usually made of two sticky rice balls that are stacked on top of each other, with a mandarin orange, or tangerine on top, and decorated with a variety of elements that carry deep significance and meaning.

• The Two Mochi Cakes: Represent the past and the future, coming together in harmony. They also symbolize the symbiotic relationship between happiness and good fortune.
• The Round Shape: Reflects completeness and unity.
• The Tangerine: Represents longevity, prosperity, and the connection between generations, symbolizing hopes for continued growth and success in the future.

Kagami Mochi is displayed in homes where they are placed in a traditional Shinto altar as an offering to the gods, inviting good fortune and health into the household. On January 11th, during a ritual called Kagami Biraki (or “opening the mirror”), the mochi is broken apart by hand or a wooden mallet and eaten. This tradition dates back over 300 years to when the fourth shogun of the Tokugawa era broke open a sake barrel to celebrate a victorious battle, marking the start of a new stage in life.

Today, Kagami Biraki is performed to celebrate significant milestones, such as weddings, housewarmings, and even the founding of new businesses. During the New Year, breaking apart and sharing the mochi signifies the beginning of a fresh cycle and strengthens the bonds between family members and their communities.

While traditional Kagami Mochi holds deep spiritual meaning, its cousin – the chewy, sweet mochi candy offers a fun, modern twist on this cherished custom!

Mochi Candy: A Modern Take on Cultural Traditions

At Redstone Foods, we’re excited to share a lot of new and exciting mochi candy products that perfectly capture the essence of the Japanese New Year celebrations! These bite-sized, flavor-packed treats offer a fun way to celebrate Japanese traditions and make a great addition to any candy selection and they are perfect for sharing with friends and family. We’re confident that your customers are going to love these soft and sweet little gems!

Cacao Mochi Milk – Vanilla

You and your customers will delight in the pillowy soft goodness of Cacao Mochi Milk, where creamy vanilla filling meets fresh, chewy mochi. This gluten-free, low-fat dessert offers a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making it a splendid guilt-free treat for any occasion!

Cacao Mochi – Mango

Indulge in the tropical bliss of Cacao Mochi Mango, featuring the tender chewiness of mochi with a luscious mango-flavored center. Gluten-free and low in fat, this delightful bite sized dessert is a fresh and fruity way to satisfy all your sweet cravings!

Royal Family Mochi – Maple Pancake

Savor the comforting flavors of Royal Family Mochi Maple Pancake, combining soft mochi with a decadent maple butter and crème filling. Gluten-free and irresistibly delicious, this unique treat pairs perfectly with your morning coffee or even your afternoon matcha powder green tea.

Royal Family Mochi Cookies – Banana

This is a delightful twist on dessert! Royal Family Mochi Cookies Banana feature chewy banana-flavored mochi is nestled inside the center of a soft chocolate cookie with cacao chips. A playful mix of textures and flavors, it’s like a bite-sized cake with a sweet mochi surprise inside!

Whether you’re honoring Japanese traditions or simply enjoying some delicious treats, mochi candy is a celebration of culture, flavor, and renewal, perfect for anyone’s New Year’s Eve party. Pair it with other festive treats or enjoy it alongside other Japanese-themed dishes to bring a touch of elegance and honor to your new year celebrations!

At Redstone Foods, we pride ourselves on offering unique and high-quality products that connect people to a wide variety of international traditions and flavors. From an extensive selection of Japanese sweets to gourmet chocolates, savory snacks, and glass bottle craft sodas, our extensive inventory is perfect for candy shops looking to expand their offerings, enticing their customers to explore something new!

Sign up for an account with us online today or give us a call. You’ll see why Redstone Foods is America’s favorite candy distributor!

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