Japanese New Year 2009

I've been off for a whole 2 weeks!

Nice pics Danny.

We don't have holidays exactly but we do have a holiday standdown period. During this period, I only have to come in every 3 days. In addition, lots of folks take leave. I got second leave period. The first one is popular because it includes both New Years and Christmas. I'm enjoying the time off now because it is going to be hell when the leave period ends. Can't elaborate...

Awesome pics as always. =)

Love the shrine pictures!

We are busy within a week before the holiday. Then, back to normal after that. Heh

yummy food anyway ^^;.

Greats pics as always :D Ive been off for two weeks go back to school on Tuesday. ^^;

DANNY !!! Please tell me you used your panasonic camera!!..

Umm mostly spend taking my friends from out of town to Good eating places that i know.. Our local Maid's cafe. And, Little Tokyo....

I had a couple days off.. .umm caught up on some sleep.. Met someone that works for Robot Chicken.. interesting person..

The octopus legs look scary! =o=

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu Choo-san!! Sadly, I was working one new year's eve and on the first too since I'm working in an hospital. I'm planning on going back to Japan next year so I have to save money. Nippon o sabishigaru... Akemashite omedeto gazaimasu minna-san!!!

Saber gained an.. ahoge xD

Is the Motsuni soup spicy? lol

Year of rat? Lets see. 13, 25, 37.. ^^;

Tomorrow's my last day TwT'' Better get the most out of it [working]

Well if you count all the christmas stuff coming out in late October, then you could say over two months. But with me actually celebrating, then maybe a week or two.

man, you have too much fun....

Oi, damn... i should read Jois blog more frequently i guess.... Dubai... impressive, i know a guy there who plays WoW lol... wonder if Joi is still into WoW. Oo;;
Anyhow, i just follow his news cuz sometimes it's interesting to read. ^^*

Nice cards...

And that glass shelf, i take it... ;) My big screen is gona break my neck if i "look down" any longer to it. ><; It's at least 6-7cm to low...

I spend most of my "holidays" with working, got a client just 2 days before christmas... hrrmm.

Though, on New Years Eve i did take some time to watch Kōhaku Uta Gassen, pitty that white won lol... shoo. But i think the red side was just a bit to "GAR" this year... all in all an interesting show though, i enjoyed it. :)

off 1 day last week and 2 days this week : Oh well any time off is good time off.
Great pictures as always! <3 Japan, great atmosphere.
And I hadn't read any of the articles on the dollfies, but wow those babies are huge lol
Happy new year

nice article..thks for sharing Danny

Omg loving that nitro plus nengajo ^^
Been off for about a week or so >< The atmosphere at the shrine just before new year came must have been great~! Typically rotted away my week worth of holiday XD

Taken 1 day off, ended up not working for 4.5 days. ^^ But going to start work tomorrow. =_=

Me born in the year of rat too. Seems like I'm started getting fond of the dollfie saber after looking at her so often. Nice nengajo, wish i could receive one too.

Very nice pics. And a very nice office ^^

kawaii dollfie pix! very nice night shots of new year ^^!

I get 3 weeks off for winter break from school. Go back to classes on January 12th for a couple months before our next short break.

Great pictures, would have loved to be someplace like that for New Years.

I only off for 2 days, well since I'm self-employed, it pretty much depend on me~~~~~~ But I'll be off for 1 week during Chinese New Year.

The more I look at Saber, the more I wanted to relocate my reserved fund for MBP to get dollie~~~~~

I graduated in mid-December, so now I'm just trying to find somewhere to work ^^I Had an interview earlier with week with an e-commerce group so I hope that gets a thumbs up. Once I have a job the holiday is over for me :3

Holiday season for me was a good 2 weeks or so if you based it on "Christmas dinners/parties". It seemed I was going to one every other day. Of course, I'm not complaining ^^;;

Luckily my holiday is going for another week... I think I would go insane otherwise.
Also, Xmass decorations are down already. We like to take them down before New year's eve.

2 weeks off for me and I also have lots comming up in January, but in a bad way. neglected school work is catching up and upcoming ones are waiting...

Being without a job means that my holiday is pretty much indefinite, but it's not as though I am not working to remedy this problem. Regardless, my "holiday" was nothing more than me loafing around the home playing on the Internet and watching anime. If my New Year's Eve and Day were even a tenth as interesting as demonstrated within your photographs, then I may have had some fun.

I technically have time off until february, but I'll be spending most of this time during January doing write-ups, recordings, and doing some work for some extra moolah.

I did a lot of cooking this year for the guests and really enjoyed doing it, did a lot of drinking and suppose am still in the festive feel for now. Will probably take the christmas tree down in the next week.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f339/daemonseed/21122008052.jpg?t=1231053191

Well, I usually remove my decorations...if I do put them up...when the holiday season is over...
I want to go to those shrines for New Years...I wonder how it feels like to be only with friends in another country on New Years...
Well, it seems to be a lot of people celebrating New Years...I wonder how New Years in Japan is like compared to Canada where there is a lot of fire works and shows showing a crowd of people outside at city hall with bands and singers all saying happy new years and performing...then a lot of fireworks... I wonder what is new years like in other countries?

Wow the shrines are really pretty xD Sadly my break is drawing to a close..

Will want to visit one of those shrines for new year, if there's a chance :D
Spent my new year eve out somewhere as usual, as staying at home made me feel ronely. This xmas + new year got myself about 10 days break, and tomorrow I shall start working (like a cow) again. ^^"

How long do you take to clean up your desk? There's so much stuffs. >.<"

so nipponjin ate/offer mikan on new year, like how chinese do on chinese new year?

I was off Chistmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New years day and that was it! Radio never sleeps.. I miss the days when I was at uni and had pretty much a month off over xmas :D

nice photos! i start to work tomorrow to, but I do not have the slightest desire to go to work... but in these days of economy crisis, i really glad to have a job yet. but i wished to have a job like Danny!very cool!

Wow new year's eve is pretty hectic at the shrine...as for Christmas decorations, the mini tree we have is out year round...too lazy to put it away...

Great photos! feel like going into the shrine food / game stalls :D reminds me of Singapore Night Market or 'Pasar Malam' they called it here.

Those new year gretting card are awesome too :D especially the Nitroplus one!

Me n hubby didnt do much on new year, mostly spending time at home cuz we hate crowded place ^^;

My office was closed for 2 weeks and we don't publish at all, therefore we have 2 weeks off ^_^ ...but we don't get paid either, except for Christmas and New Year's Day holiday pay.

Very nice postcards :D Oh and I couldn't imagine how big the Dollfies were until I saw Aoi beside your TV and PS3... OMG DEKAI!!

The pictures made me wish I spent my new year's day in Japan!

Christmas decorations? Too lazy to remove them, so it takes some time. Let's say a month XD

Very nice photos.

awesome picts Danny! ^____^

i was born IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON!!!!!
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH~~~~~~~~

anyone else?

nice... nice.. :D

school reopens on the 12th, so i still got some time off ^_^
i have been thinking for a while, how do you actually work on a glass surface danny?
i find it too hard and too cold to warrant a conducive workspace. that's just my opinion though...

Was about same thing here - went to a local shrine, then ate, then went to sleep. Japanese new years seem more... calm/boring then elsewhere in the world...

Snake here.

I want to go to the shrine there in Japan T_T it look so nice. I like your little Christmas tree beside your TV set. I think the best nengajo card is from Hobbysearch. My holidays? It lasted short for 3 days only.

I'm generally off for like 5 weeks! oh the glory but the down-side to it is that I lose focus in my studies. Wish there was a japanese shrine around here but might settle with spending time with the famz

2 weeks of vacation for me. I think it was the same for most of the people here in my country too. No wonder we're still poor -_-

another nice article with awesome pics^^

happy new year everyone~~~

i wish they sell those demon destroying arrows here^^

Hey~ I'm year of the rat too, except not the same year, lol~

No similar festivities around my area as far as I'm aware, the closest thing would be the chinese new year festivities coming up soon.

Really nice pictures...could really tell the difference this time around... 2 weeks before i head back....So feels like no rest at all...

i've been off since dec.15 and classes dont start again till jan.26

vacations are long here but it gets boring after a while especially since i hate the cold and dont like going out when its cold

I usually dont not put up decoration cause it to much of a hassle

I really enjoyed these series of photos. It looked like fun during your New Years.

Beautiful pictures, look all clear and widescreen ^_^.
Great angle on that first shot.

Had two weeks off but got 3 AS exams as soon as I go back to college, so it's more revising than partaying! WHY IS PHYSICS SO HARD?

Loved the way Japanese celebrating the new year, the festive activities near the shrine that took place near the shrine. The usual fireworks and all-night partying stuffs pales in comparison to this. How cold was it?

Nice for the celebrations to continue past midnight... I think most of the major celebrations end almost right after midnight... "Oh it's New Year! Yay! Okay let's go home and sleep...".

Paper based cards and letters have the personal touch to them so I'm not surprised they're still popular. More effort involved and shows greater sincerity.

I get the idea everywhere is illuminated with lights in Japan from all these night shots. The country itself must be a huge powerhouse, LOL.

I like the mini Christmas tree... Are those pirate discs I spot on the floor next to the TV? =P

Ooooh. Nice! We had lots of those countdown party and stuffs like that... there was fireworks too. However, it'll be nice to have a change of pace sometimes, looks kind of quiet and peaceful with the pictures there.

I've yet to experience a winter too, wonder how cold it was...

And oh my, nice mousepad xD!

What shrine or temple is this btw? Its so empty.
during New Years Eve I went to Zojoji temple. I arrived like 1.5 hours earlier and it was easy to move about. About an hour before midnight, it was completely packed.
everyone counts down and 3000 balloons were released into the air at midnight. Then Tokyo Tower changes colours.

My holidays is 3.5months long.

Looks fun! Unfortunately I lack social life and didn't do anything on New Year's Eve, but I wasn't the only one so it's not that bad. Out of all places in the world, the most fun looking place to celebrate the new year is Japan imo. :P

Was off for about two weeks and I have to go back to one of my least favorite places tomorrow. Anyways, my Christmas was good but New Years and after was depressing. I just hope that my luck changes for 2009.

3 Week holiday for college. It gives us a break after the quarter. I bet shrines make a lot of money during the New Years. The Lucky Star shrine probably made quite a bit.

very nice pics danny and those new year cards looks really good XD

still playing MGS4? haha

I'm wondering. How does one travel during new years eve and especially after midnight?
Only by car?

speaking of prayers, what religion are you danny?

I have holidays and "carnavals" celebrations after the holidays, one week of rest :)

I had a week off, when it for 2 days and then another week off!! Though it was mainly from lack of work; because most of our customers are closed for inventory and major cleaning that week.

I drank far too much and i was puking 5 minutes to the New Year. But the hours leading up to it were great! Woo hoo!

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu

has been browsing dannychoo.com since about have years ago, really like this website.

Really love Japan and Japanese comics and animation and figures...

My 1st Post....Hi everyone...

Good luck 2009

Heh... that picture with the octopus gave me a very tentacle-esc moment.~

Had some days off. Had to work New Years Day though. Oh and the holidays are still here. Only a few more days until they're done.

I've had over three weeks but that was exceptional and was the longest holiday I've had since the early 1980s. Also it was only possible because the company took a complete shutdown for 10 days over Christmas-New Year.

Nice holiday for me this year as as always, almost 2 weeks. Now just have to prepare for the exam the day after tomorrow (luckily only one exam this semester).

2 weeks! *is lucky to have a good amount of leave left to cover it* Wanted to do a lot over the holidays, but haven't got as far as I would have liked. Have enjoyed the break though!

There should be an option for 0 days... I worked one New Year's Eve and New Year's day... and Christmas... and Thanksgiving... and Halloween... and my birthday... -ahem-

Anyway, Happy New Year's, everyone!

Im a rat aswell^^

I always wonder how long it takes to get to the shrine and back home.Theres such a mass of people that its going to take forever i suppose?

Did any おみくじ (omikuji) in a temple for this new year Danny?

Wow great New Year ur havin. For me wasn't a good New Year at all. I lost 4 friends in New Year fire at a club in Thailand. U might heard the news, it's call Santika pub. I left the club to see my other friend an hour before the fire broke out. I was lucky and very sad that i might be able to save my friends if i was there.

I wish u agreat New Year. Happy 2009 Danny!!!

Look at all that mikan...

I've been unemployed! (but now I should have a job soon)

I'm horse

My break was two and a half weeks. Break technically starts after the last exam ends, mine being on a Tuesday (second last day)

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu danny and dc.com members! ^^ T'was a great 2008. Hoping for an even better 2009.

Was off for about a week and a half. It was the longest vacation I've ever had without filing for a leave. :D

Those crab legs are BIG and looks scrumptious!! Wish I can find those here.

Happy New Year to Danny and every members of dc.com :) I miss Japanese New Years T_T

Happy new year everyone!
Had little more that a week off from work, from the day of xmas eve till today.
New years eve was great for me, got to spend it with my newly acquired boyfriend and friends.
Next year will be new years in Japan~

Even though the holidays were only two weeks they were nice. Especially the first week. The time was passing incredibly slow! Watched a lot of Jackie Chan movies which helped me a lot for my good mood! And now - naturally - depression from time to time...

Yes, nice cards you get and wonderful pictures you took ^^
And as a student I have 3 weeks holiday ;)
Next week starts school again ^^

I celebrated the New Year with a house party with friends, it was a great year =)

The card from nitro plus looks cool!

you lucky people getting holidays in my industry christmas is the busiest time of year so company policy is no holidays in december or first two weeks of january although almost every one takes a cuople of weeks in febuary or march before the easter holiday embargo good news is lots of extra shifts = more money

I was in Tokyo over the new years and visited the Sensō-ji Shrine in Asakusa on the 1st =D. Twas my first visit to Japan and it was quite something. Very exciting and soooo much to see. I love Tokyo, was there for a week and spend another week in Nagoya and Kyoto. I couldn't get enough, lol, definatley visiting again.

Very nice pics!
However nice Tv :P

Was working during the holidays ^^;... And we don't have any decorations to put away so...
Man, I lead a sad, sad life...

Your New Years seem so boring and depressing. On New Years i go out and i have a big feast with my family and then i go out with my friends and my girlfriend and we party all night and then I come back home at 5 am. New Years is the best holiday ever.