A New Year In Japan
HATSUMODE
Expressing gratitude for the past year and praying for a fresh start, good fortune, success, and safety.
New Year in Japan starts off with prayers at the local shrine. Called Hatsumode, this is a time for expressing gratitude for the past year and praying for a fresh start, good fortune, success, and safety.
Gratitude
I am forever grateful that I can live happily, with my wife, in Japan.
As a foreigner, living here is not to be taken for granted.
There are people who would love to have to opportunity to live and work in Japan, but for whatever reason cannot. From moving costs, both financial and personal, visa applications and finding work, to making connections and feeling accepted, forging a life in Japan is not without its challenges.
I am grateful for the opportunity to live and prosper here.
A Fresh Start
Anyone who has been watching my YouTube videos will know that I have slowed down a bit, actually I haven’t published a video for a couple of months now.
Truth be told, I was feeling a little bit deflated and lacking of meaningful direction.
I spent the last year sharing my experiences with Japanese culture by attending many festivals. Unfortunately these videos didn’t perform as well as I had hoped, which made me feel a little sad. Instead of being in the moment, enjoying and learning about Japanese culture through these wonderful events, I was too preoccupied trying to capture it all on film, and lost the moment for myself.
So… This year I will not be forcing videos at the expense of my own experiences.
My fresh start is a new direction for my videos. I want to be more personal, sharing my own thoughts and experiences in a more vlog-like style.
I would love to one day be able to produce some short documentary videos about various aspects of Japan and Japanese Culture, but I have come to understand that will only happen in time. I am not a fountain of knowledge for all things Japanese, so the only Japan I can share right now is the Japan I see through my own eyes and interpretations.
Phil In Japan is the name of my website and YouTube channel, so that should be the focus of the content.
Good Fortune, Success, and Safety
Simply put, prosperity and good health for myself, my wife and our families.
2026 is a Year of the Horse
In Chinese and by extension, Japanese zodiac symbology, Horses embody energy, freedom, speed and success.
Representing a time of bold action, new opportunities, and forward momentum, it is a time for setting goals and working hard to achieve them.
Those who persevere will be rewarded with success.
2026 will bring a faster pace of life, with opportunities for personal growth. It is a time for action, chasing goals and networking.
My goals For 2026
Re-launch my YouTube channel with a new focus on myself and my own personal experiences here in Japan. Instead of being a faceless POV channel, viewers will get to know me, a face for the channel.
Improve my Japanese language skills.
Network - Make more Japanese friends and collaborate on projects.
Get back into making music.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed the new year period, and that this year will bring you success, prosperity and good health.
Whatever 2025 brought you, it is time to move past it. Start anew, set goals and work hard to achieve them. The power of the horse is within us all, and can help us bring about a mindset of success.
Thank you for reading!
