Overview: Today we focus on mochi rice cake, an indispensable part of Japanese New Year's celebrations. It's offered to the gods and eaten in traditional Zoni soup as families pray for a healthy and safe new year. The ingredients found in Zoni can differ greatly depending on the region and family. Learn about mochi's rich history and culture, and how families of years past used to prepare it. Also, feast your eyes on some of the hundreds of mochi recipes from Iwate Prefecture.