Japanese New Year is celebrated on January 1 of each year. It has been celebrated since 1873. According to japanese traditions, at midnight all the buddhist temples ring their bells a total of 108 times. It symbolizes 108 human sins, which run away with every bell ringing. After that japanese people visit buddhist or shinto temples, stay celebrating at the street, or go home,where tasty food is waiting for them. Japanese are used to play different games during New Year night. For example, they play special New Year cards with hundred of small poems, called 'hiakunin isshu'. Also, Japanese like various greeting postcards. Parents usually do not give presents to their children. But there exists another tradition — to give some money in small beautifully decorated envelope. The amount of money depends on the children's age. But nowadays everything in Japan is very changeable because of great influence of the United States. And that is why some families are waiting for Santa Claus and presents.
