On the 31st of New Year's Eve, udon restaurants in various parts of Kagawa, the "Udon Prefecture", are bustling with customers from the morning looking for New Year's Eve Udon.
In Kagawa, there is a custom of eating toshikoshi soba, which is said to wish for a long life, and toshikoshi udon, which is said to wish for a long, thick life.
At a long-established udon restaurant in the center of Takamatsu City, on the 31st of New Year's Eve, 1,500 balls are prepared, which is more than double the usual number, and locals and others visit one after another from the morning.
Then, they enjoyed the Kagawa-style self-ordered kake udon noodles with their favorite condiments, and enjoyed the unique texture and smoothness of Sanuki udon.
The store also has take-away items, and many customers were able to enjoy them at home with their families.
A man who returned to Kagawa with his wife from the Kanto region said, "Next year, I want to make my work and private life as strong as Sanuki udon."
A 5-year-old girl from Tokyo who visited with her family for sightseeing said, "Kake udon was delicious. I will be an elementary school student next year, so I want to study hard."