juunigatsu

Juunigatsu is the Japanese word for the month of December. It literally translates to "twelfth month," as 'juuni' means twelve and 'gatsu' means month. December is the last month of the Gregorian calendar and is a period of significant cultural and social activity in Japan.

The arrival of juunigatsu is often associated with the shortening of daylight hours and colder temperatures across much of Japan. While the precise weather varies by region, with the north experiencing heavy snowfall and the south remaining milder, a general sense of winter prevails.

Culturally, juunigatsu is a busy month. It is a time for year-end parties, known as *bōnenkai* (forgetting parties), where people gather to celebrate the end of the year and relax. For businesses, it is a crucial period for closing accounts and preparing for the new fiscal year.

A prominent tradition in juunigatsu is *Ōmisoka*, New Year's Eve, the final day of the year. Many Japanese people spend this time with family, engaging in rituals like eating *toshikoshi soba* (year-crossing noodles) and listening to the *Joya no Kane*, the ringing of temple bells 108 times to cleanse the old year's sins. Juunigatsu sets the stage for the important celebrations and transitions that mark the end of one year and the beginning of another in Japan.