In December, the temperature drops and it gets cold quickly. By the end of December it is very cold, and it is not uncommon for it to fall below freezing from January to the beginning of March. There is not much snow on the Pacific side which usually has continuous sunny but cold days. There is a New Year’s tradition to eat soba noodles just before the year changes. The last day of the year is called "Omisoka.” "Oshogatsu," the Japanese New Year continues for seven days beginning January 1st and the people celebrate by eating New Year’s cuisine called, "Osechi" and drinking alcohol.
