Why do Japanese eat soba on New Year’s Eve?

Why do Japanese eat soba on New Year’s Eve?

Toshikoshi Soba, literally "year crossing buckwheat noodle", is a Japanese tradition of eating a bowl of soba noodles on New Year's Eve just before midnight. … It's also said that since noodles are easily cut, they symbolize letting go of the regrets of the past year.

What is open on New Year’s Day in Japan?

Department stores and shopping mall are closed on 1st January (New Year) The New Year's day (元旦) is an important day celebrating the New Year for Japanese. It is a national holiday even on the calendar. Almost all of the department stores and department stores in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, etc.