Let’s welcome 2023, Year of the Bunny!

Happy New Year to the Stranger Army and all our dear fans!

We hope that this new year brings you joy, love, and all the anime-themed cute things you can handle. New Year is a very important time here in Japan and as we welcome in this exciting Year of the Bunny, I personally wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the past year. Truly, it has meant so much to me as well as the enter iiisekai team!

I know that the past year has been challenging for many of us, with stress and sickness at an all-time high for me personally as well! But I have a good feeling that the new year will bring wonderful new opportunities and adventures. It has certainly started off on the right foot! . . . a rabbit foot, per se~

The Year of the Bunny

The Year of the Bunny (Rabbit) is one of the 12-year cycles of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the element of metal and is considered a very lucky year in Chinese and Japanese culture.

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be intelligent, kind, and gentle. They are often known for their calm and composed demeanor. They are hardworking and diligent and have the ability to handle difficult situations with grace and poise. If you were born in the Year of the Rabbit, you may be seen as a lucky and fortunate person, and you may be well-respected and admired by those around you.

The Year of the Bunny is a time for peace, abundance, and prosperity. And like I said above, it is often associated with good luck and good fortune. Here In Japan, the Year of the Bunny is a time for celebration and cultural traditions. Many people celebrate the new year with traditional foods, such as ozoni (a mochi soup) and toshikoshi soba (long noodles symbolizing a long life).

Some of the most popular things to do for the new year in Japan are to wake up early and see the sunrise and participate in cultural activities and rituals, such as visiting shrines and temples. The first sunrise (Hatsu Hinode) and the first shrine visit (Hatsu Moude) are both very significant in Japanese Shinto culture. These traditions are rooted in the belief that the new year is a time of renewal and purification, and they are seen as a way to start the year off on the right foot and bring good luck for the rest of the year.

It’s New Years in Japan!

So of course, as our 4th New Year here in Japan my husband and I would not be missing out on these time tried Japanese Traditions! We viewed the first dawn of 2023 on the beautiful, yet cold, top of Cape Toi (A lighthouse cape known for its wild horses that is only 20mins from our home in Kushima city.) and we had our first shrine visit at the glorious Udo Jingu shrine!

The first sunrise of the new year is seen as a symbol of hope and renewal, and many people in Japan go to great lengths to catch a glimpse of it (like hike up a cold and windy hill on the seaside, that is also covered in horse pooh). Some people may wake up early on New Year’s Day to watch the sunrise, while others may travel to specific locations known for their beautiful sunrises. But as far as I know, Mt. Fuji is out of the question, as it is far too cold on the peak in winter!

There are many shrines and temples in Japan that are associated with various animals, deities, and Zodiac, and these associations often have deep historical and cultural significance to the area. Some shrines and temples may be associated with specific animals due to their connections to ancient myths and legends, while others may be associated with animals due to their symbolic meaning or cultural significance. And our very own Miyazaki Prefecture‘s Udo Jingu is associated with the bunny! Because of this, and the important creation lore mythos surrounding the area, Udo Jingu was PACKED. We waited in a line of cars for over an hour just to get up to the shine! But it was so beautiful, and on new year’s day, it was something really special to be a part of. I highly recommend taking a peek at the videos of Udo Jingu that I posted on my Insta (@Bitsy_the_Alien) they are so fun!

The first shrine visit of the new year is also an important tradition in Japanese Shinto culture. Shinto shrines are considered to be sacred spaces where people can pray and communicate with the gods, and many MANY people in Japan visit shrines on New Year’s Day to offer their prayers and wishes for the new year. So, yeah… There will be a line! But it is usually worth the wait to get your hands on the cute and unique New Years’ Omamori (especially if it is Bunny-themed, KAWAII!!!!).

If you are unfamiliar, Omamori are small, protective amulets that are sold at shrines and temples all across Japan. They are believed to bring good luck and provide protection to the wearer. In addition to being purchased for personal use, New Year’s Omamori are also often given as gifts to friends and loved ones as a way to wish them luck and prosperity for the new year. They are a popular and meaningful gift to give during the New Year’s holiday season in Japan. Year of the Rabbit Omamori may feature symbols and characters associated with the bunny, such as statutes of the zodiac animal itself or other symbols of luck and prosperity like bells and charms.

During the first shrine visit of the year, many people also participate in traditional rituals, such as ringing the shrine bell, purifying themselves with sacred water, and making offerings with a prayer or two to the gods. These rituals are seen as a way to purify the body and mind and start the new year with a clean slate.

Good luck, renewal, and purification are the foundation stones of a festive Japanese New Year Celebration.

Overall, the Year of the Bunny is seen as a time of positive energy and good vibes, and it is a great time to focus on your goals, relationships, and well-being. So if you’re celebrating the Year of the bunny with us, we hope you too have a lucky bunny year!

From all of us at iiisekai Studios, we wish you a happy, healthy, and anime-filled new year!