Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations Practice Test

According to the text: During Oshōgatsu, many people wake early for hatsuhinode (first sunrise) and later do hatsumōde at shrines, where they draw omikuji fortunes. Families share osechi ryōri prepared ahead to reduce cooking, and children receive otoshidama (gift money). While digital messages grow, nengajō still signals courtesy and ongoing relationships. What is the significance of Oshōgatsu in Japanese culture?

According to the text: Obon varies by region, with some areas observing it in July and others in August, depending on calendar traditions. Families return home, offer food at household altars, and visit graves, while neighborhoods organize bon odori in schoolyards or temple grounds. These practices sustain local networks even as urban residents travel long distances. How does Obon reflect contemporary Japanese society?