Casual — to friend
Cultural · Seasonal
大晦日には年越しそばを食べて、除夜の鐘を聞いて新年を迎えるんだよ。 — On New Year's Eve, we eat toshikoshi soba, listen to the temple bell, and welcome the new year. (Cultural · Seasonal, Casual — to friend, JLPT N4)
You
大晦日には年越しそばを食べて、除夜の鐘を聞いて新年を迎えるんだよ。
おおみそかにはとしこしそばをたべて、じょやのかねをきいてしんねんをむかえるんだよ。
On New Year's Eve, we eat toshikoshi soba, listen to the temple bell, and welcome the new year.
Romaji: Oomisoka ni wa toshikoshi-soba wo tabete, joya no kane wo kiite shinnen wo mukaeru n da yo. / Reply Romaji: Toshikoshi-soba tte naze soba na no?
Reply
年越しそばってなぜそばなの？
としこしそばってなぜそばなの？
Why is it soba for the year-end?
Gesture & etiquette
If demonstrating, mime slurping noodles with appreciative 'mmm'. Mime striking a bell once with both hands. Smile warmly—this is family-cozy holiday. Recommend they try visiting a temple for joya-no-kane: 「お寺で実際に鐘をつかせてもらえることもあるよ」.
Three iconic Oomisoka rituals: 年越しそば (long noodles symbolize long life, eaten before midnight), 除夜の鐘 (joya-no-kane—temple bells rung 108 times for 108 worldly desires, starting just before midnight), 紅白歌合戦 (NHK New Year song contest, 7:15PM-11:45PM). Many also visit shrine at midnight (二年参り). Soba over udon because soba 'cuts' easily—severing old year's troubles.