Toshikoshi soba is a traditional Japanese dish eaten on New Year's Eve. Its origin dates back to the Edo period. One popular theory is that it started as "Miso-ka soba," eaten by merchants at the end of the month. Soba was easy to prepare and nutritious, making it valuable for busy merchants. Another theory suggests that soba was eaten during Setsubun to cut off misfortune, and this custom became linked to New Year's Eve because Setsubun was close to the end of the year in the old calendar. Soba noodles are long and thin, symbolizing a wish for a long life, and their easy-to-cut nature represents cutting off bad luck. In the Edo period, soba was believed to prevent beriberi, a disease, and was widely loved by common people. Today, Toshikoshi soba remains a cherished part of Japanese culture, representing over 400 years of history.