This is mochi, or rice cake, formed into a round shape to represent a mirror (kagami), one of the three sacred treasures, and displayed at New Year as an offering to the New Year gods (toshigami).

During the Japanese New Year celebration, arguably the most important holiday in the country, mochi takes on a sacred role.

Using approximately 6 metric tons of sticky rice produced in northern Japan's Tohoku region, known for its rich taste, around 40 workers are preparing and selling "kagami mochi" round rice cakes ...

Eleven members of the castle's management center gathered in the morning to divide the two glutinous rice cakes, called "kagami mochi." The cakes were displayed over the New Year holidays at the ...