At New Year’s Eve celebrations in Japan, the traditional long-strand food symbolizing longevity is toshikoshi soba.
Toshikoshi soba means “year-crossing soba.” People commonly eat the buckwheat noodles on New Year’s Eve, often shortly before midnight, although household timing varies. Their long, thin shape is associated with a long life, while the noodles’ relative ease of cutting can symbolize leaving behind the hardships of the old year.
The custom became especially widespread during the Edo period. Soba was already an important food in Japanese urban life, and several folk explanations developed around its New Year meaning. Regional versions differ in broth, toppings, and serving style, so there is no single nationwide recipe.
Toshikoshi soba should not be confused with osechi ryori, the collection of foods served during the first days of the new year. Nor is it the same as mochi, which is also strongly associated with Japanese New Year celebrations but has different symbolism and preparation.