Don’t have any plans for the New Year weekend? Or just don’t know what’s even open? You may be snowed in in the East Coast, but if you’re in the West Coast, you’re in luck.
Hatsu-Goma
When: Friday, January 1, 2010, 10am
Where: Koyasan Buddhist Temple, 342 E. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 624-1267
What: Most Asian cultures consider the first day of the year to be very important and would go to a temple or shrine to offer a prayer. In Japanese it is called “Hatsu-mode” or first offering. Bishop Seicho Asahi will be officiating the the fire ritual by chanting mantras and throwing tiny sticks into a fire. If you’ve never been to one before, this is definitely something to go check out and experience. The temple will continue to be open from Jan 1-3 for visitors from 10am-5pm and will have fortune telling slips, good luck arrows, amulets, charms, and picture tablets.
Kotohajime: Hatsu Dayori “First Letters for the New Year”
When: Sunday, January 2, 2010, 1pm
Where: Little Tokyo, CA
Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Suite 505, Los Angeles, CA 90012
What: Every year JACCC puts together a performance for the new year. This year’s theme is Hatsu Dayori, or First Letters for the New Year. There will be performances by the Los Angeles Kyudo Archery Group, Trudl Zipper Dance Institute of the Colburn School, and many more. This January for the year of the rabbit, Little Tokyo will become the center for celebrating the Japanese New Year for Southern California.
Tickets: $20 General Admission, $18 Seniors/Students/Groups, $15 JACCC members
Where: Wi Spa 2700 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213) 487-2700
What: It’s a rare time to finally get some vacation time, so most people just want to relax. And that is where I say “it is time to go to a spa!!” Wi Spa is open 24 hours and yes, open on new years day. They have jim jil bang as the common area for everyone to hang out and eat. They offer body treatments, massages, and saunas. Everything a girl could ever hope for when it comes to just taking a day off from the rest of the world.
Happiest Place on Earth
Where: Disneyland!!! & Downtown Disney 1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802
What: 365 days a year … Disneyland is open to make every child’s dreams come true. If it’s been a while since you’ve been, definitely take a day out of your busy weekend to go to the happiest place on earth.
Hungry for Thai?
Where: Banana Bay 18230 Colima Rd, Rowland Heights, CA 91748
Golden Deli Vietnamese Restaurant 815 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Open New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
What: Just in case you don’t feel like cooking at home, and want to try someplace new for some good Thai or Vietnamese food. If you go to Golden Deli, you have to try their fried egg rolls … they are to die for.
