“Everyone seems to really enjoy it, and the crowd just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Hashimoto shares. “At this time of year, people come to expect and look forward to this particular event. Some will try to put orders in for mochi ahead of time before we even have it made.”

The event features live performances from Chibi Taiko and Vancouver Okinawa Taiko. The Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association, the event’s co-presenter, will demonstrate mochi pounding. The Association also provides the usu (vessel) and kine (mallet) used in the pounding.

Celebrating with food

Mochitsuki has been held for more than two decades at NNMCC, attracting hundreds of people. Hashimoto recalls seeing a mixed crowd – including attendees of different ages and cultural backgrounds – all wanting to find out what Mochitsuki is about and “have a taste” of the mochi itself.

“We turn the mallets over to [people], and then they take a couple [of] swings at the blob of rice,” Hashimoto says. “It’s not that easy because it takes a lot of coordination, so you’re not bashing each other accidentally with those big mallets.”

Both fresh and frozen mochi will be on sale. Hashimoto’s team has already started prepping the frozen mochi. Attendees are encouraged to cook the frozen mochi on New Year’s Day.

Hashimoto adds that Japanese people often make ozoni – a traditional new year’s soup – with the mochi. According to the president, the dish brings “good luck and health.”

“There are a lot of people there who aren’t Japanese, and we try to instruct them on that day,” Hashimoto shares, adding that a video will be played.

Chibi Taiko drummers will open the event. Hashimoto adds that when one hears the drums, they know Mochitsuki is starting. Satsuki-Kai Dance will also perform. Founded in 2011 by Nishikawa Kayo from the Nishikawa School of Japanese classical dance, the group has also performed at the Powell Street Festival.

A growing tradition

“Mochitsuki is one of the really old Japanese customs that families have usually done privately in their own homes for centuries,” Hashimoto says. “We even did it in our own home when we were growing up.”

He adds Mochitsuki is a ritual that welcomes the new year; it also serves as a symbol of longevity, prosperity, vitality, good fortune and communal unity.

Hashimoto has been with the NNMCC since the early 2000s when its Auxiliary was formed. Composed of dedicated volunteers, the Auxiliary has been responsible for organizing the event ever since.

“Now, we’re up to around 14 to 15 machines that we have going on all at once,” he shares. “In the old days, we didn’t have mochi-making machines, so we used wooden mallets that we made ourselves.”

For Hashimoto, this tradition shows the “culture behind the people.” It is a chance for the younger Japanese-Canadian generation to engage with their culture.

“Mochitsuki are skills and knowledge that the second generation learned from their parents, the Issei, which are the first generation,” he shares. “The third generation, the Sansei, hopefully will also take it to heart that they will be the carriers of the Japanese traditions.”

Hashimoto sees Mochitsuki as “a part of the history” preserved through the nationally recognized archives of NNMCC – which covers over 140 years of Canadian history..

“Hopefully, [people] can get caught up in the celebration along with us, enjoy the day, and [take away] that this is something we do and continue to do and how it fits into our lives,” he adds.

For more information about Nikkei Mochitsuki 2025, see https://centre.nikkeiplace.org/events/mochitsuki-2025