Japan is known for its rich and unique culture, and New Year’s traditions are no exception. From preparations and decorations to what to do on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, here is a guide to some of Japan’s most beloved New Year’s customs and traditions.
Preparation
Like many other countries, New Year’s preparations begin before December 31st. This involves deep cleaning an decorating, the difference being that in Japan, you have to be careful when you do these activities as some dates are considered unlucky.
Decorations
After Christmas, you will often see three types of New Year’s decorations sold at supermarkets. These are kagami mochi, shimekazari, and kadomatsu.
Kagami Mochi
Kagami mochi is made up of two mochi cakes stacked on top of each other, with a daidai fruit perched on the top. These days, the kagami mochi you see in supermarkets are made of plastic, with the actual kirimochi (sliced mochi) placed inside. The kagami mochi is a traditional Japanese offering to the Shinto gods and supposedly represents Yin and Yang. It’s usually placed on an altar during the last week of December and remains uneaten until January 11th.
Shimekazari
Shimekazari are decorations made from braided straw and wood that hang on the front door. The design differs depending on region, but often includes pine needles and bamboo leaves for good luck.
Kadomatsu
Kadomatsu is another type of decoration made of bamboo and pine. These evergreen plants are viewed as sacred symbols of renewal and prosperity for the coming year. It is traditionally placed in pairs at gates or entrances, so that divine spirits on their passage through may find an inviting home to bless with luck.
It is a common belief that putting up decorations on either December 29th or 31st is unlucky. The 29th is unlucky because the Japanese word for nine sounds like bad luck. The 31st is also considered unlucky because putting up last-minute decorations is displeasing to the gods. The most auspicious dates to put up decorations are the 19th, 24th, and 30th of November; and the 6th, 12th, 18th, and 28th of December.
Ōsōji (Deep Cleaning)
The big cleanup that happens at the end of the year is called ōsōji (大掃除). Before the new year begins, families and businesses clean their entire living or work space to signify a fresh start and to be rid of any remaining bad luck from the past year. It’s both practical and spiritual; you get rid of what you don’t need to make way for the new.
On New Year’s Eve
The last day of the year is referred to as ōmisoka in Japan. After finishing cleaning and the last bits of preparation, people relax, dine, and watch TV specials like Kohaku Utagassen – an annual live music show featuring performances by some of Japan’s most beloved singers and entertainers. The most common dishes served are toshikoshi soba and osechi ryōri.
Toshikoshi Soba
Soba or buckwheat noodles are often eaten on New Year’s eve because they symbolize longevity. Unlike ramen and pasta, soba noodles are firm but easy to break, and biting into them symbolizes a break-off from the misfortunes of the past year.
Osechi Ryōri
Families also enjoy osechi ryōri, which consists of special dishes prepared days or even weeks ahead of time that can be served cold on New Year’s Day; they are often served in bento boxes called jūbako.
Joya no Kane
When the clock strikes 12, Buddhist temples will start ringing deep resounding bells 108 times. This practice is called Joya no Kane and the 108 times symbolize the 108 worldly desires humans experience throughout life. Each strike is therefore to cleanse us of whatever worldly desire we succumbed to in the past year.
On New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is often referred to as gantan or ganjitsu, and like many other cultures, the Japanese pay particular attention to the many firsts that take place during this day.
First Sunrise (Hatsu Hinode)
Early risers take to watching the first sunrise of the year, also known as “hatsu hinode.” In Tokyo, some people go to high places like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. Inubosaki in Chiba is also a popular spot, as it’s the easternmost point of Japan and thus the first place to see the sunrise.
First Dream (Hatsu Yume)
People also take note of the first dream they have as it is believed to foretell one’s fortune for the rest of the year. The most auspicious images to appear in your dream are Mt. Fuji, hawks, and eggplants because they invoke feelings of greatness and strength. Mt. Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain; hawks are perceived to be strong and clever; and the Japanese word for eggplant is homonyms with a verb that means to accomplish.
Ozoni
Ozoni is a traditional Japanese soup that is eaten on New Year’s Day, mostly as breakfast. It is made with mochi, a type of rice cake, and is considered to be a lucky food. It also usually has radishes, carrots, and spinach. It’s a light, healthy dish that warms you up on a cold winter’s day.
Hatsumōde
The first shrine or temple visit of the year is called hatsumōde, where people pray for good fortune for the coming year. Besides paying respects, people also draw fortune slips called omikuji to guide them for the rest of the year as well as buy protective charms called omamori to help them achieve their goals.
Celebrating the New Year as a Foreigner in Japan
If you’re an expat, you may find Japan’s customs and traditions for celebrating the New Year to be entirely different from your own country. You may find that festivities are not on the same scale, but these customs hold just as much meaning especially when it comes to purification and renewal. Taking part in these traditions can be a rewarding experience that will give you better insight into Japanese culture and allow you to participate in a collective ceremony of joy and celebration.
