Japanese New Year

Overview

Japanese New Year, known as お正月（おしょうがつ, Oshōgatsu）, is the most significant holiday in Japan. The celebrations typically span from January 1 to January 3, though many people begin preparations in the preceding weeks. The holiday is steeped in tradition, blending Shinto and Buddhist customs with family-centered activities. For most Japanese, it is a time to return to their hometowns, spend time with relatives, enjoy special foods, and participate in rituals believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.

The origin of Oshōgatsu lies in the celebration of toshigami (年神, year deity), who is believed to visit households at the start of the new year to bring blessings. The holiday was traditionally based on the lunar calendar, but since 1873 Japan has observed January 1 as the official New Year's Day.

Cleaning: Ōsōji

Before the new year arrives, homes and workplaces undergo a thorough cleaning called 大掃除（おおそうじ, ōsōji）. This is not just a routine tidying; it is a symbolic act to purify the home and welcome toshigami. Cleaning is usually completed by December 31, so that the new year begins with a clean slate. In schools and offices, ōsōji is often a group activity, with everyone pitching in to scrub floors, windows, and desks.

Decorations: Kadomatsu and Shimekazari

To welcome the deity, homes and businesses are decorated with special ornaments. 門松（かどまつ, kadomatsu）are pine and bamboo arrangements placed at entrances. The pine represents longevity, and bamboo symbolizes prosperity. 注連飾り（しめかざり, shimekazari）are sacred straw ropes with paper streamers, hung above doorways to ward off evil spirits and mark the sacred space. These decorations are typically put up after Christmas and removed around January 7 or 15, depending on the region.

Another common decoration is 鏡餅（かがみもち, kagami mochi）, a stack of two round rice cakes topped with a citrus fruit (daidai). It is placed on a family altar or in a prominent spot in the home as an offering to toshigami. The mochi is later eaten in a ritual called 鏡開き（かがみびらき, kagami biraki）on January 11, symbolizing unity and good fortune.

New Year's Eve: Ōmisoka

December 31, called 大晦日（おおみそか, ōmisoka）, is the eve of the new year. Families often gather to eat 年越しそば（としこしそば, toshikoshi soba）, buckwheat noodles that symbolize longevity and the crossing from one year to the next. The noodles are long and thin, representing a wish for a long life and the ability to cut off the hardships of the past year.

At midnight, many people visit a Buddhist temple to hear the 除夜の鐘（じょやのかね, joya no kane）, the temple bell rung 108 times to cleanse the 108 earthly desires in Buddhist belief. The ringing is believed to purify the mind and welcome the new year with clarity.

New Year's Day: Ganjitsu

January 1 is called 元日（がんじつ, ganjitsu）. Many people wake up early to watch the first sunrise of the year, 初日の出（はつひので, hatsuhinode）, which is considered auspicious. Families then gather to eat a special breakfast of おせち料理（おせちりょうり, osechi ryōri）, a boxed assortment of traditional dishes, each with symbolic meaning. For example, 黒豆（くろまめ, kuromame, black soybeans) represent health and diligence; 数の子（かずのこ, kazunoko, herring roe) symbolize fertility and prosperity; and 海老（えび, ebi, shrimp) represent longevity, as their bent backs resemble elderly people.

Another traditional New Year's dish is 雑煮（ぞうに, zōni）, a soup containing mochi (rice cakes) and vegetables. The ingredients and flavor vary by region; for example, Kanto-style zōni uses a clear broth with square mochi, while Kansai-style uses a miso broth with round mochi.

Visiting Shrines and Temples: Hatsumōde

The first shrine or temple visit of the year is called 初詣（はつもうで, hatsumōde）. Millions of people visit shrines and temples during the first three days of January to pray for good health, success, and happiness. Popular destinations include Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, and Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka. At shrines, visitors often draw fortune slips called おみくじ（omikuji）, purchase お守り（おまもり, omamori, good luck charms), and write wishes on wooden plaques called 絵馬（えま, ema).

Cards and Gifts: Nengajō and Otoshidama

Sending 年賀状（ねんがじょう, nengajō, New Year's cards) is a widespread custom. These postcards are delivered by the postal service on January 1 if mailed by the deadline in late December. People write messages of goodwill, often featuring the zodiac animal of the incoming year. In recent years, the practice has declined, but it remains popular among older generations and businesses.

Children receive お年玉（おとしたま, otoshidama）, money in decorative envelopes, from parents, grandparents, and other relatives. The amount typically increases with age, and the custom teaches children about saving and gratitude.

Modern Celebrations

While many traditional customs persist, modern celebrations also include watching television specials, such as the popular music show 紅白歌合戦（こうはくうたがっせん, Kōhaku Uta Gassen）on New Year's Eve, and enjoying 福袋（ふくぶくろ, fukubukuro, lucky bags) sold at department stores on January 2. These bags contain assorted merchandise at a discounted price, adding a sense of excitement and bargain hunting to the holiday.

Vocabulary and Expressions

Learning a few key phrases can enhance your understanding of the holiday:

• 明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetō gozaimasu) – Happy New Year
• 今年もよろしくお願いします (kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu) – Please treat me well this year
• お正月 (oshōgatsu) – New Year's holiday

For more on related vocabulary, see the vocabulary page. To practice counting money or years, visit the Counter Dojo. If you're interested in the history of Japanese holidays, check the Japanese history page.