Visitors to Little Tokyo can experience the Japanese way of celebrating New Year’s on Friday, Jan. 1.

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California and Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 18^thannual “Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo” will take place in Weller Court, Japanese Village Plaza and Francis Hashimoto Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will feature traditional Japanese food, entertainment and cultural activities such as a mochi-making demonstration, a kimono fashion show, sumo wrestling and more.

With support from the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, the Nisei Week Court and various community members, the organizers want to introduce Oshogatsu and its traditions to the people of Southern California.

“New Year’s Day in Japan is a very important day; it is the first day of the year and we can all start fresh and celebrate the new year,” says Kitty Sankey, president of JCCSC. “We are very excited to showcase how Japanese celebrate the new year.”

For more information, contact the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 244 S. San Pedro St., Suite 410, Los Angeles, CA 90012; (213) 626-3067; www.jccfsc.org.

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