Japanese New Year, known as Oshogatsu (お正月), begins on January 1st according to the Gregorian calendar. It is the most important holiday in Japan, marked by various traditions and customs to welcome the new year.
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New Year’s Greeting and Nengajo (年賀状)
When the new year arrives, Japanese people greet each other with "Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu (明けましておめでとうございます)," which means "Happy New Year." Another important tradition is sending Nengajo (年賀状), New Year’s greeting cards. These cards are sent to friends, family, colleagues, and business partners to express gratitude and wish for good fortune in the new year. They are typically sent in advance to arrive on January 1st.
Ozoni (雑煮)
Ozoni (雑煮) is a traditional soup enjoyed on New Year’s Day, featuring rice cakes (mochi, 餅) and various ingredients such as vegetables, meat, and seafood. The ingredients and flavor of Ozoni can vary by region, but it is a warm dish that brings families together to celebrate the new year.
Hatsumode (初詣)
Hatsumode (初詣) refers to the first shrine or temple visit of the year. Many people visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples to pray for good health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year. During these visits, they often purchase omamori (お守り), protective charms for safety and luck, and write their wishes on small wooden plaques called ema (絵馬), which are then hung up at the shrine.
Otoshidama (お年玉)
Otoshidama (お年玉) is a tradition where children receive small envelopes of money from parents, grandparents, and relatives on New Year’s Day. This custom is similar to giving gifts and is eagerly anticipated by children.
Decorations for Toshigamisama (年神様)
To welcome Toshigamisama (年神様), the deity of the new year, Japanese people prepare special decorations:
- Kadomatsu (門松): Made of pine branches and bamboo, these decorations are placed at the entrance of homes to invite the deity and bring good fortune.
- Shimekazari (しめ飾り): These are decorations hung on doors to ward off evil spirits and signify a sacred space.
- Kagami Mochi (鏡餅): Kagami Mochi (鏡餅) consists of two stacked rice cakes with a small orange (daidai, 橙) on top. The larger rice cake represents the past year, the smaller one the coming year, and the orange symbolizes the continuity of generations. Kagami Mochi is displayed in homes throughout the New Year period and is eaten during a special ceremony called Kagami Biraki (鏡開き) around January 11th.
Osechi Ryori (お節料理)
Osechi Ryori (お節料理) is a special set of dishes prepared for the New Year, each with a symbolic meaning. For example, black beans (kuromame, 黒豆) symbolize health and diligence, rolled kelp (konbu, 昆布) signifies joy, shrimp (ebi, 海老) represents longevity, and lotus root (renkon, 蓮根) stands for a good outlook for the future. These dishes are typically arranged in layered boxes and enjoyed over the first few days of the new year.
These traditions and customs add richness to the Japanese New Year celebration, strengthening family bonds and fostering a positive outlook for the year ahead. New Year’s Day is a time for families to come together, share traditional foods, make their first shrine visit, and exchange warm greetings, creating a memorable and meaningful start to the year.