I was wondering what traditions the Japanese have for New Year's Eve and the Chinese New Year.
What do they eat and drink and why? Do they have special games they play? Do they have a traditional TV-show they watch (e.g.in Germany we traditionally watch "Dinner for one" on New Year's Eve (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner_for_One))? Do they have additional traditions for the 1st of January?

Just curious.

A Japanese friend described a typical January 1 this way... (By the way, I do not know if or how the Chinese New Year is celebrated in Japan.)

新年は、おもちを食べたり　おせち料理を食べたり　おとそ（日本酒、温めて飲む）を飲むんだよ。 で大人は子供に　お年玉をあげるの。　小さい紙袋にたたんだ紙幣を入れて子供達にあげるんだよ。 一番安いお金だと￥1000かな。たぶん高校生だと￥10,000 くらいもらってるかな。
1日は家族と静かに過ごす感じかな。あとは親戚が来たりするよ。来る方も大変なんだよ。 お年玉あげないといけないから。