We’ve almost reached the New Year celebrations! Since 2024 is almost over and 2025 is upon us, how will you be spending the New Year’s?
If you’re planning to spend it in Japan, how about trying to celebrate it the Japanese way?
Japanese has a slightly different way of celebrating New Year’s. This holiday is typically spent with family, which you will notice many will return to their respective hometowns.
Let’s take a look at how New Year’s in Japan is celebrated.
Japanese Traditions For The New Year
1. Osechi Ryori (おせち料理)
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Let’s begin with one of the most common traditions in Japan when it comes to celebrating the New Year; osechi ryōri.
Eating osechi is essentially the practice of eating assorted traditional Japanese foods from (usually three) square-shaped lacquer bento boxes that have been layered on top of each other. They are called jūbako (重箱) and are traditionally eaten together with the family!
Traditionally, osechi was prepared at home before the end of the year as it was taboo to use the hearth for the first three days following the New Year.
Now, however, Jūbako can be bought anywhere from konbini, to supermarkets to stores who specialize in them!
Each mini dish inside the jūbako has a special meaning meant to represent the fulfilment of a certain wish for the coming year. For example, datemaki (伊達巻) which are sweet egg rolls represent scholarship as is it said that their rolled shape look like scrolls.
Everyone, but especially children, are usually excited for Osechi Ryori as it’s a chance to completely customize your bento and try something a bit more expensive than usual!
2. Hagoita (羽子板)
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Have you ever noticed wooden ornaments depicting traditional images such as Japanese geisha with full makeup and kimonos at New Year’s celebrations in Japan?
Hagoita (羽子板) are wooden paddles used to play the traditional Japanese game hanetsuki (羽根突き) which can be compared to badminton in the West and is usually played on New Year’s.
In the past, Japanese people believed that hagoita were able to get rid of evil spirits, because they thought that in the same way the paddles pushed away the shuttlecock, they were able to push away evil spirits using it.
Some traditional houses display their hagoita ornaments in their yards or houses, but you may find them in places such as festivals, museums, or theatres as well.
3. Nengajō (年賀状)
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Since New Year’s celebrations are important in Japan, Japanese people never miss out on the act of sending New Year’s Day cards, called nengajō (年賀状) in Japan.
Nengajō are usually posted days before New Year’s Eve to family members, friends and co-workers in the hope that they arrive before New Years Day.
Usually, they are used to express gratitude for things that happened in the past 12 months. However, nengajō are also used to express good wishes for the upcoming year.
Since we are moving towards digitalization, companies such as LINE have begun offering electronic nengajō that you can send through the internet, meaning the number of nengajō being sent through the post is falling.
If you want to try sending nengajō, make sure to send them before Christmas, as the postal service may face delays around the New Year!
4. Otoshidama (お年玉)
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Here comes the most exciting New Years tradition that is often long-awaited by some, especially children!
Otoshidama are another way to express gratitude and love by giving some money to children and young adults (usually those of school-age).
Otoshidama are usually given to children from close relatives such as parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles. The average amount given is usually about 5,000 yen which is packaged in a beautiful envelope, sometimes with a few sentences of gratitude written on it.
The amount may vary depending on the children’s ages; the bigger they are, the bigger amount they might get!
5. Hatsumōde (初詣)
Photo credit: Pexels, DSD
Another crucial tradition in Japan on New Year’s is going to shrines or temples on the first day of the year or a few days following the first of the month. This act is called hatsumode, and is a big part of the New Year’s celebration.
This tradition is so people can pray for a healthy, and prosperous new year.
For this reason, people will line up before midnight to pray at the shrines on the first. Accordingly, shrine administrators will also prepare things such as stalls selling traditional food and places to buy omamori and other things that will bring you good fortune in the year ahead.
At some famous shrines or temples such as Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, and Fushimi-inari in Kyoto, you can even enjoy mini-festivals!
6. Susuharai (煤払い)
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This tradition may share some similarities to other cultures in the world, since cleaning up is often thought to help welcome the days ahead.
However, the Japanese have particular traditions related to removing dust and dirt, as it is believed that getting rid of these helps to purify the house and get rid of evil in preparation for the arrival of the New Year.
Some families choose to throw away things that aren’t needed or that have gone unused for a long time, while some go as far as to throw out old things and replace them as a symbol of a fresh start.
For this reason recycling, electronic, furniture, and garbage disposal companies are packed during this season to match demand. Therefore if you’re planning to get rid of your old things, you should make sure everything is disposed of properly and at the right time!
7. Uranai (占い)
Photo credit: Pexels, David Dibert
Another exciting tradition in Japan that you may not find in other cultures in welcoming the new year is having your future told, which is called uranai in Japanese!
From special uranai books that tell your future based on your date of birth, to actual fortune-tellers and omikuji drawn from temples and shrines, people are always curious about the future.
Although it is also common to go and choose an omikuji (おみくじ) to find out your fortune and give you an outlook to the new year. Having someone read your fortune out from an uranai book could be more exciting or opt to have your fortune told by a fortune-teller (uranai-shi 占い師).
The most common questions asked are around peoples love lives, careers and any possible bad luck.
Some fortune-tellers will read directly from your palms while some will ask you to choose from tarot cards. Around the New Year, you may find fortune tellers around the shrines and common places.
If you are curious about your own future, you should join them and try going to a fortune teller to have your palms read. If you do plan to do so, you will need to have a good level of Japanese since they will likely only speak in Japanese.
Celebrate The New Year in Japan
Of course, every culture has its own unique traditions and customs to make the New Year’s celebrations feel special.
If you choose to stay or visit Japan during the New Year holiday, we suggest trying out one of these traditions. As always, have respect towards the country and its religion, so if you are unsure about the customs be sure to read up on them.
Don’t forget to let us know what you did to welcome in 2025, and we hope you have a happy New Year!
Devy Mufliha,
Indonesia
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- Top 5 Temples and Shrines for Hatsumode – Celebrating New Year in Tokyo
- 4 End of the Year Traditions in Japan Essential to Spend New Year Like a Local
4 End of the Year Traditions in Japan Essential to Spend New Year Like a Local
