suyasuya.
A private
mountain stay
1 Jan.
Oniyo (Demon Night Festival) | Tamatare Shrine, Daizenji, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture | January 7th, 8 PM
During the coldest time of the year, giant torches illuminate the night sky in Kurume. As people gaze upon the burning flames, they pray for health and safety as they welcome the start of the new year. This powerful fire festival, one of Japan's leading, has been passed down in winter Kyushu for over 400 years.
Other / Kurokawa Onsen's Yuakari (hot spring lights), Takachiho's Yoru Kagura (night kagura dance)
2 Feb.
Controlled burning in Aso | Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Before spring arrives, vast grasslands are set ablaze. The magnificent scenery of Aso has been preserved through this annual practice. The burnt land will eventually be reborn as a vibrant green. Some roads may be closed due to the controlled burning, so please check the burning schedule in advance.
Hyakka Hyakusai | Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture | Every Friday and Saturday 19:00-22:00
Bamboo lanterns and traditional Japanese umbrellas illuminate the historic hot spring town, making this a representative winter event of Yamaga. The flickering lights in the retro alleyways create a nostalgic and fantastical scene.
3 Mar.
New Sake Festivals (Various Locations)
This is the season when new batches of sake, brewed over the winter, begin to arrive from the breweries. Visiting a sake brewery allows you to feel the essence of the local water, rice, and the lives of the people living in each glass of sake. Tours and driver arrangements are available.
◾️Nearby sake breweries
Chiyo no Sono (Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture) 2026/3/8
・Hana no Kaori Sake Brewery (Nagomi Town, Kumamoto Prefecture) 2026/4/11-12
・Zuiyo (Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Kawazu Brewery (Oguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture) 2026/4/5
Reizan Brewery (Takamori Town, Kumamoto Prefecture) 2026/3/8
・Kitaya (Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture) 2026/3/7
・Wakatakeya Sake Brewery (Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture) 2026/3/28-29
・Beni Otome Sake Brewery (Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture) 2026/3/28-29
Inoue Brewery (Hita City, Oita Prefecture)
4 Apr.
The thousand cherry trees at Hyugami Dam | Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture | Late March to early April
The closest cherry blossom spot to our inn is the Hyugami Dam, located beyond the hill behind it. A thousand cherry trees surround the dam, creating a stunning contrast between the pink tunnel and the blue-green dam. It's not too crowded, and there's parking available, so you can enjoy it at your leisure. The "Yabe Spring Festival" is held around the same time.
Kuroki Great Wisteria Festival | Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture | Mid-April to Late April
The wisteria blossoms, from trees over 600 years old, fall like purple rain, swaying in the spring breeze. Enjoy a spring stroll enveloped in sweet fragrance and soft light. There are many other attractions within the same area, including food stalls, vendors, sake breweries, a waterway where koi fish swim, and a locomotive exhibit.
5 May.
Nichirinji Temple Azalea Festival | Nichirinji Temple, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture | Golden Week Period
The azaleas bloom all over the mountainside, so much so that you can see them from the roadside.
The dignified face of the 30-meter-tall "Obinzuru-sama" is also a famous attraction.
Arita Pottery Fair | Arita Town, Saga Prefecture | During Golden Week
This springtime event brings many people to one of Japan's leading pottery towns. You can pick up pottery made by kilns and artists and experience the culture of craftsmanship that has continued for over 400 years.
Hasami Pottery Festival | Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture | During Golden Week
A pottery fair where you can find tableware that complements your daily life. The time spent strolling around and searching for your favorite piece becomes a memorable part of your trip.
6 Jun.
Ingo Hyoutan | Omiya Shrine, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture | June 15th
Within the grounds of Omiya Shrine in Yamaga City, there is a Yasaka Shrine (Gion-san). They sell "Inuko Hyotan," a rice flour craft shaped like a puppy clinging to a gourd, colored and skewered on a bamboo stick. People take the "Inuko Hyotan" home and place it on the door frame or other suitable spot. It is believed that doing so will protect them from disease and misfortune for a year. In Yamaga, this day is also called "Hatsu Katabira," and it is customary to start wearing yukata (summer kimono) from this day onward.
Kaeru-dera Wind Chime Festival | Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture | June 1st to the end of August
The sight of thousands of frog statues lining the temple grounds, hydrangeas in the rainy season, and over a thousand wind chimes is extremely popular with photography enthusiasts. In recent years, the frog statues and hydrangea-filled water basins have also become a topic of conversation.
Asakura, the Village of the Triple Waterwheel | Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture | Mid-June to the end of September
As the rice paddies are filled with water, the waterwheels finally begin to turn.
The blue sky, the fresh green of the rice seedlings, and the mountains reflected in the water.
You can experience the rural scenery of early summer.
7 Jul.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival | Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture | July 1st - July 15th
Hakata's summer festival has a history of over 700 years. The sight of the magnificent Yamakasa floats racing through the streets has long been a beloved scene that signals the start of summer in Kyushu. The Yamakasa floats are displayed in various locations throughout Fukuoka City from the 1st to the 15th, and from the 10th, you can see men carrying the Yamakasa floats and running. On the final day, the 15th, in the early morning, there is the Oiyama Yamakasa, the festival's biggest highlight, where the Kakiyama Yamakasa floats from each district race through the streets of Hakata at full speed. (If you want to see the Oiyama Yamakasa, we recommend staying in Hakata.)
Orochiyama Festival | Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture | Fourth Saturday and Sunday
A spectacular summer festival where a gigantic snake, over 10 meters long, parades through the town.
The giant snake float, with its glowing red eyes and wide-open mouth, has long been revered as a guardian deity that wards off disease and disaster. On the night of the festival, the sounds of drums and bells resound, and the entire town is enveloped in excitement as the giant snake float breathes fire. There is also a custom called "kamase," in which young children are placed inside the snake's mouth, and the local prayers for good health and protection from illness remain to this day.
Dazaifu Tanabata Festival | Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture | July 1st - July 7th
This summer festival takes place in the town in front of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, known as the shrine of the god of learning. Colorful streamers and strips of paper adorn the town, and from dusk onwards, a magical light illuminates the area. You can enjoy a quiet summer day strolling along the historic mountain paths and reflecting on your wishes. On the final day, the 7th, members of the Lantern Dance Preservation Society from Yamaga City, where our inn is located, will come and perform the Yamaga Lantern Dance in the shrine grounds. The magical atmosphere of Tanabata and the delicate beauty of the Yamaga lanterns will create an unforgettable scene.
Hita Gion Festival | Hita City, Oita Prefecture | Late July (Saturday and Sunday)
This is Hita's representative summer festival, with a history of approximately 300 years.
This festival, which has been passed down in Hita town, a town that flourished as a direct territory of the shogunate during the Edo period, features magnificent floats parading through Mameda town. The floats, adorned with intricate carvings and embroidery, are called "moving works of art" and are designated as an important intangible folk cultural property of Japan. As dusk falls, the lanterns are lit, and the floats moving through the castle-walled townscape create a fantastical scene. It is a festival where you can feel the refined elegance and richness of townspeople's culture that is characteristic of Hita.
8 Aug.
Yamaga Lantern Festival | Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture | August 15th - August 16th
Yamaga's representative festival features women carrying golden lanterns on their heads in the "Thousand Lantern Dance." It is said to have originated in the Muromachi period when torches were carried to guide the emperor on his way to Omiya Shrine. For two days of the festival, "Yamaga lanterns," which lantern makers spend a year creating using only washi paper and glue, are displayed throughout the town. On the evening of the 15th, there is a summer fireworks display, and on the evening of the 16th, you can see the "Thousand Lantern Dance," in which a thousand dancers carry golden lanterns on their heads in a circle. It is a fantastical and unique sight. Finally, you can see the "Agari-toro" (Upward Lantern), in which men carry the displayed Yamaga lanterns to Omiya Shrine. For guests staying on this day, transportation or a tour may be available, so please inquire.
Kanmon Strait Fireworks Festival | Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture | August 13th
Held across the Kanmon Strait, which separates Honshu and Kyushu, this is the largest fireworks display in western Japan. Fireworks are launched one after another from both sides of the strait, illuminating the night sky and the surface of the sea, and the scenery, interwoven with the lights of the towns and the comings of ships, is a beauty unique to this region's geography. The sight of two towns on either side of the strait celebrating the same night has become one of the symbolic summer traditions of Kyushu. You can witness a massive fireworks display of over 15,000 fireworks reflected on the water's surface.
9 Sep.
Fujisaki Hachimangu Autumn Grand Festival | Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture | September 12th - September 13th
This is Kumamoto's largest festival, which has been held for over a thousand years. Magnificent decorated horses and processions of soldiers parade through the streets of Kumamoto Castle town, making it the most exciting festival for the people of Kumamoto, and it is known locally as the "Boshita Festival." The sight of the horses galloping to the sound of trumpets and drums, accompanied by shouts, is truly awe-inspiring. It was once known as a magnificent festival where horses were actually galloped at full speed, captivating large crowds with the unique shout of "Boshita, Boshita." While the format has changed for safety reasons, the scene where tradition and energy intersect remains a valuable festival that conveys Kumamoto's history, culture, and the character of its people.
Hojo-e Festival | Hakozaki Shrine, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture | September 12th-18th
This is Fukuoka's most popular autumn festival. Originating from the Buddhist philosophy of "cherishing the lives of all living things," hundreds of stalls line the temple grounds. For the people of Fukuoka, it's a quintessential event that marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.
10 Oct.
Onta Pottery Festival | Hita City, Oita Prefecture | Second Saturday and Sunday of October
Onta is a small village nestled in the mountains, home to a tradition of folk pottery that has continued for over 300 years.
This usually quiet pottery studio attracts many people, offering a chance to experience the culture of pottery making. The traditional method of crushing clay using a river waterwheel, without the use of machinery, is still practiced today. Their dedication to creating pottery for everyday life has had a significant influence on Japan's folk craft movement.
Yame Fukushima Lantern Doll Festival | Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture | Late September to Early October
This traditional puppet show, which has been performed since the Edo period, is a rare form of art in modern times, performed under the light of lanterns. The puppets are moved not by strings but by intricate mechanisms, and the techniques have been passed down through generations. The aesthetic sense characteristic of Yame, a town with a rich artisan culture, is evident in the stage and the craftsmanship of the puppets.
Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition | Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture | Third Saturday
This is Japan's premier fireworks festival, where pyrotechnicians from all over the country compete to showcase their skills. Many people travel from all over Kyushu to attend this festival. It's not just a fireworks display, but a "competition," so each and every firework is imbued with the skill and expressiveness of the artisans. Creative fireworks, star mines, and other diverse performances light up the night sky, and the spectacle of light unfolding on the Kumagawa riverbed is breathtaking. Fireworks viewed in the clear autumn air have a different kind of beauty than summer fireworks, and the pleasant temperature allows you to enjoy them for a longer period.
11 Nov.
Karatsu Kunchi Festival | Around Karatsu Shrine, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture | November 2nd - November 4th
This is one of Kyushu's most representative autumn festivals, where magnificent and ornate floats parade through the town. Huge floats modeled after sea bream, lions, and turtles race through the old castle town. All 14 floats are adorned with lacquer and gold leaf and are designated as important tangible folk cultural properties of Japan. The sight of the floats moving along the cobblestone streets to the sound of flutes and drums is one of the moments of greatest pride for the people of Karatsu.
Hita Tenryo Festival | Hita City, Oita Prefecture | Around November 10th (Saturday and Sunday)
This festival commemorates the history of Hita, which flourished as a "tenryo," a territory directly controlled by the shogunate during the Edo period. People dressed in period costumes parade through Mameda-machi, enveloping the entire town in an Edo-period atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy the magical nighttime atmosphere created by "Sennen Akari," where the town is illuminated with bamboo lanterns.
Autumn foliage viewing | Various locations | Late November to early December
Autumn foliage is at its most beautiful in Kyushu. Below are some famous autumn foliage spots accessible from our inn. This is also a great time for hiking and other outdoor activities.
・Koheiji Temple (Kaō-machi, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
・Kikuchi Valley (Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
・Akizuki Castle Ruins (Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
・Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple (Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
・Kyūnen-an (Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture) Open only for 9 days in the middle of the month
*The photo is of Kyūnen-an.
12 Dec.
Takachiho Night Kagura Dance | Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture | Mid-November to Early February
A winter ritual passed down through generations in Takachiho, the land of myths.
In each village, 33 dances are performed throughout the night at the Kagura lodging, depicting stories of the gods, including the myth of Ama-no-Iwato. Its origins are said to date back more than a thousand years, and it continues to this day not for tourism, but as a form of prayer for the local community.
Kurokawa Onsen Yuakari | Kurokawa Onsen, Oguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture | Late December to late March
The hot spring town is illuminated with bamboo lights. Hundreds of lights, made from bamboo that had been left neglected in the local bamboo forest, magically light up the riverside and alleyways. The lights flickering beyond the rising steam have become a representative winter scene of Kurokawa Onsen.
Nearby restaurants will be closed from December 28th to January 4th.
1 Jan.
January 1st to January 4th ｜Early spring
We ate Osechi (traditional New Year's food) and then went to the local shrine for our first shrine visit of the year.
Cars of people returning home for the holidays were parked everywhere in the village.
A peaceful and happy time passes as we spend time together as a family after a long time.
January 7th | Nanakusa-gayu (Seven-herb rice porridge)
To give our stomachs a rest after working hard during the New Year's holidays, we pick the seven spring herbs and eat rice porridge with them.
Mid-month | Dondoya
The Dondoya festival held in each village differs slightly from one village to another.
A tall bonfire is constructed using bamboo, and a fire is lit, burning along with sacred ropes and calligraphy. Rice cakes are grilled between bamboo bars, and sake called "takappo-zake" is drunk from bamboo cups.
January 11th | Kagami-biraki (New Year's rice cake cutting ceremony)
Adding the mochi roasted at the Dondoya festival to zenzai (sweet red bean soup) is something I look forward to every year.
2 Feb.
Early in the month | Winter seclusion
It's the coldest time of year, and it sometimes snows, so people don't go out much.
During this season, simply spending time relaxing under a heated table (kotatsu) is pure bliss.
Mid-month | Playing in the snow
We get a cold snap at least once a year. The roads don't freeze over and become slippery, though.
When it snows, it's also wonderful to be able to enjoy winter-specific activities.
Late ｜Cold plum blossoms
Even though it's still cold, the plum blossoms are slowly beginning to bloom.
Butterbur sprouts are also starting to pop up here and there.
3 Mar.
Early in the month | Butterbur sprouts
Among wild vegetables, butterbur sprouts appear while the cold weather still lingers.
Whether you make butterbur miso or deep-fry it, it has the scent of spring.
Mid-month | Pickled Takana
Wash the mustard greens, dry them overnight, and then add salt to make fresh pickles.
After a week, squeeze the freshly pickled vegetables and put them in rice bran to make aged pickles.
This is the most popular rural mountain experience at this time of year.
Late | Bamboo shoots
Bamboo shoots are a specialty product of this town. Local people are extremely busy digging for bamboo shoots at this time of year. They find them by feeling the bamboo shoot sprouts with the soles of their feet.
4 Apr.
Early March to mid-April｜Nanahana
While rapeseed blossoms add color to the spring scenery, they are also a valuable ingredient found in the mountains. Since the young shoots are used before the flowers bloom, March is the best time to use them as an ingredient.
Late March to early April | Mountain cherry blossoms
Cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom here and there in the mountains, and parts of the mountain are turning pink with blossoms.
It is the most beautiful season, with cuckoos singing and gentle breezes blowing.
Late April | Fujinami
In the gardens of private homes, on trees in the mountains, on wisteria trellises in parks.
The purple flowers swaying in the spring breeze have a lovely fragrance, which delights the bees.
5 May.
Late April to early May | Tea picking
May is the most lively month in Takema, a town famous for its tea.
You can see local people picking tea leaves.
Tea picking experiences are also very popular.
During Golden Week | Tea Factory Tour
During the tea-picking season, tea factories are also operating at full capacity and are extremely busy.
The tour will offer a limited-time opportunity to see the entire tea-making process.
Mid-month | New Tea Festival
Many people come from both within and outside the prefecture to attend Takema Tea's New Tea Festival.
The experience includes tea-related activities, shopping, and dining—it's a truly fulfilling experience.
Mid-month | Spring harvest
The wild vegetable for May is Udo (Japanese spikenard). I go into the mountains to pick it.
The leaves are delicious when deep-fried as tempura, and the stems are tasty when simmered in a vinegared miso sauce.
6 Jun.
Early in the month | Sanae
The rice paddies are now filled with water, and it's finally time for rice planting.
Families and relatives have gathered to plant rice, and you can hear the lively sounds of them working.
Stepping barefoot into a muddy rice paddy is a wonderful feeling, no matter how old you are.
Early June to mid-July | Mirror Rice Field
A breathtaking view of the rural landscape that can only be seen for a short period while the rice plants are growing.
The sky is reflected on the water's surface, creating a sparkling and beautiful landscape.
The "sky rice fields" of Hoshihara are also at their peak, and the boundary between them and the sky disappears.
Early in the month | Fireflies
A great many fireflies appear in the river in front of the former Takema Elementary School.
You can park your car at the elementary school, so why not take a short walk on a summer evening?
Mid-month | Scent of Honey
Many people in the area keep bees, and the honey produced by the bees from spring is harvested in June. The honey, made from the nectar of flowers in the foothills, is exquisite.
Mid-month | Plum preservation
Plum syrup, plum wine, pickled plums—you can never have too many plums.
This is an important seasonal task that adds more enjoyment to meals in the countryside.
It's the most popular of all the seasonal experiences.
7 Jul.
Early in the month | Cold water tea
This is the time of year when tea shops start selling chilled tea.
The sound of ice clinking and the translucent greenery soothe the heat.
Mid-month | Stream fish
During the summer holidays, the fishing ponds in Gakuma Valley also enter their busiest season.
A fully grown rainbow trout is incredibly satisfying to catch and to eat.
The cool mountain valley is perfect for creating summer memories.
Mid-month | Summer Fields
Summer vegetables are ripe for harvest, making it a fun time to pick them.
The tradition of exchanging harvested vegetables in rural areas is still alive and well today.
Mid | Herbs
In the foothills, herbs such as perilla and Japanese ginger grow wild.
I went for a walk in the evening, listening to the cicadas, to pick just the amount I needed.
8 Aug.
District-specific weekends | Summer festivals
Summer festivals vary greatly in size and scale from district to district and from village to village.
Adults who were children in that place, doing it for their own children.
The form of the summer festival, which has been woven together over many years in this way, is love itself.
August 16th | Yamaga Lantern Dance
Although it's closer to Fukuoka Prefecture, Takema is technically part of Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture, so there are women who participate as dancers in the Yamaga Lantern Dance. People from Takema also go to the Yamaga Lantern Festival as part of carrying on the culture, as businesses that liven up the festival, and as customers who enjoy the festivities.
Summer vacation | Insect cage
As an adult, you stop touching them, but as a child, I ran around with a bug net and gave it my all. The time I spent talking with friends about how many cicadas we caught, what kind of stag beetle it was, is a fond summer vacation memory that I still cherish even now as an adult.
Summer vacation | Water activities
We have four recommended river spots near our inn.
- Behind Tanaka Bridge in the Takema district
・Gakuma Valley
- Next to the roadside station "Soma no Sato" in Kuroki-machi, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture
・Kikuka Town, Yatani Valley Mother Nature Kirari
It's well-maintained, so even small children can feel safe.
Summer vacation | Fireworks
Please enjoy the fireworks from within our hotel grounds. The smell of gunpowder will evoke nostalgic feelings.
9 Sep.
Early to mid-month | Spider lilies
As the rice plants begin to turn yellow, red spider lilies start to surround the rice paddies. With black butterflies fluttering about, the contrast of the three colors creates a truly beautiful sight. The terraced rice fields of Bansho, located about 30 minutes from the inn, are famous for their spider lilies.
Mid-to-late month | Chestnut picking
Chestnuts are one of the region's specialties. The whole region becomes busy after the bamboo shoot season.
I recommend the chestnut picking experience; it's fun and helps the farmers .
Late month | Full Moon
As the rice stalks begin to change color, we welcome the Mid-Autumn Moon, considered the most beautiful moon of the year. On a quiet night, when only the sounds of insects can be heard, the moon floats in the night sky. Since ancient times, people have gazed upon the autumn moon while giving thanks for the harvest.
10 Oct.
Early October | Golden Rice Ears
The rice fields just before the harvest are truly golden in color.
The scenery is beautiful, especially when combined with the colors of the high autumn sky; the air even feels a little lighter.
Mid-month | Harvest
The rice fields feel a little lonely after the harvest, but I also like the sight of the rice being hung up to dry for the final time; it's very typical of a rural village. Participation is highly encouraged.
Late | New rice
After drying and milling, the rice finally arrived as pristine white new rice.
The fluffy, shiny rice is molded into balls, and the adorable rice balls are complete.
Late month | Potato digging
This might be the most popular autumn activity. Kids absolutely love digging up sweet potatoes. Apparently, they taste better if you let them sit for a few days after harvesting.
11 Nov.
Early in the month | Cold brewing
I'll finish making the koji and miso before it gets really cold.
Miso is an indispensable condiment in Japanese cuisine.
Buying it is quicker, but there's value in the time spent preparing it yourself.
Early in the month | Persimmon blinds
At the end of autumn, persimmons are hung from the eaves of houses. Blown by the cold wind, covered in morning dew, and bathed in the early winter sun, the astringent fruit gradually becomes sweeter.
Mid-November weekend | Kahoku Festival
The Kahoku Festival, held in Kahoku-cho, Yamaga City, is packed with everything that Kahoku-cho is proud of. It's a lively event that the entire townspeople get involved in. The children's taiko drumming, the Kahoku Chayama song, the log triathlon, and the stage performances are all spectacular. There's also an area where Kahoku-cho's shops gather, offering plenty of delicious food.
Late Saturday and Sunday | Bountiful Harvest
The Ogawauchi Festival and the Arahira Industrial Festival will be held on the same day. You can purchase locally grown vegetables and handcrafted goods at auction. Anyone can participate and have a valuable experience. It is one of the festivals that has been passed down in the region.
Late month | Sunset
November is the best time to see the "Sunset over Hoshihara." At this time of year, the sun sets directly in front of the monument. This sunset, visible from the open mountain, was once selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Sunsets.
12 Dec.
Early in the month | Autumn colors
The autumn foliage in the mountainous area is at its best at the beginning of December every year. The maple and ginkgo trees bloom at slightly different times, but both are beautiful. The autumn scenery at Arahira Tenmangu Shrine is exceptional.
Mid-month | Yuzu
Squeeze the yuzu, chop it, and boil it. Ponzu sauce, miso, syrup—fragrant yuzu has many uses. You might get injured by the thorns when harvesting, but that's also a winter tradition.
December 21st | Winter Solstice
I threw the leftover yuzu into the bath.
The bathroom is filled with the scent of yuzu, signaling the start of winter.
On this day, a yuzu bath will appear in each of the hot springs.
Late month | Shimenawa (sacred rope)
We make shimenawa (sacred ropes) out of straw and decorate them with plants brought from the mountains. We also go to the bamboo grove to make kadomatsu (New Year's pine decorations). We do a thorough cleaning and get busy preparing to welcome the New Year.
December 31st | End of the year
In the countryside, the end of the year is spent at home. We welcome back family who have returned home for the holidays and carefully spend precious, irreplaceable time together. The end of the year is not seen as the end of the year, but rather as a time to quietly put things away.