Osechi, the traditional new year's food

Osechi-ryori are traditional Japanese New Year's foods. The tradition started in the Heian Period.
Usually dishes are put in the boxes called 'Jubako'  which resemble the bento boxes.

The dishes that makes up 'Osechi' each have a special meaning celebrating the New Year.
For example;
'Kuromame' , black soy beans, 'Mame' (beans) means 'health', symbolizing a wish for health in the New Year.
'Ebi', skewered prawns cooked with sake and soy sauce. It symbolizes a wish for a long-life.

It might be difficult to have a chance to eat Osechi unless you are invited to the family New Year's celebration by the local people. And there is getting less and less to prepare their own Osechi at home.
Major department store provide the mail-order service of Osechi. However you need to order earlier for the famous ones, usually it will be sold out by New year.