My Family Tradition

Hello. I'm Ayaka. Let me introduce about my family traditions. I live in Hamada City, Shimane in Japan. My home town is Unnan City, Shimane. My parents, my grandparents and my sister live here. There are many traditional events in this town.

      In January, my family and my relatives gather in my home. There are so many my uncles, aunts and cousins, so it is very livery in the house. We greet New Year holidays together. We eat rice cake and New Year dishes. It is many snow in winer, so we play a snowball fight with my cousins. It is fun. We have a good time. I and my sister go and worship at a shrine with my parents. And I am given a New Year's geft of cash from my father. It is very happy. I think that all Japanese children are looking foward to getting money in New Year holidays every year.

     In August, we hold Tanabata Matsuri. Tanabata means the Ster Festival. It is said that it is often held in July in Japan, however it is hold in August in my town. We decolate a bamboo grasses with colorful papers and long strip of papers that written my wish or my dream in the future. After a week, the decorated bamboo grasses are dreined into the river. Daito Tanabata Festival, one of the traditional festival in my home town is held on August 6th. Many people visit here because it is most famous and oldest festival. Children walk carring many big decorated bamboo grasses and playing Japanese drum. It is so exciting. On that day, both sides of the street are lined with stalls. I like to eat many kind of foods standing at a street stall. At night, firewoks are seted off. It is very beautiful. I think that many people of my home town are interested in a desplay of fireworks every year. After that, we getting my home.

     My family and relatives also gather in August. We hold a barbecure party in the garden. I eat so many meats and vegetables. After the barbecure, we enjoy to play sparkler. Its bring us the real feeling of summer. It is happy for me to watch it. I always looking foward to this summer event because I can see many cousins. I get along to their very much.
In December 31, the last day of year, I clean my room neatly. My parents also clean my house. It is preparations to spend a year. We eat "Toshikoskisoba" at night. Toshikoshisoba means New Year's Eve's buckwheat noodle. I think that Almost Japanese people eat it. I also like it. We watch TV programs on TV. For example, NHK "Kohaku Utagassen" is a most famous singing program in Japan. Japanese famous singers sing famous song or represantative song for the singer. I like this program, so I watch it every year.

     I love my home town very much, so I enjoy many traditional events every time. If you may come to Japan, please visit Unnan City. I want to join many events still all the time. Thank you.