In Japan, the final evening of the year — Ōmisoka — is celebrated quietly with a special bowl of soba noodles called toshikoshi soba. The name means “year-crossing noodles,” and this simple dish carries a deep message of farewell and renewal. It marks the closing of one year and the beginning of another, reminding people to let go of hardships and welcome a fresh start. Why Japanese People Eat Soba on New Year’s Eve The tradition dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868). Soba noodles, made from buckwheat, are long, thin, and easy to cut — symbolizing a smooth ...
