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13 Japanese New Year Traditions

 
13 Japanese New Year Traditions

Oshogatsu, the Japanese New Year, is the most important event celebrating the beginning of the year, with diverse traditions passed down through many households and communities. People tidy their homes and purify their hearts at year’s end, preparing to welcome Toshigami-sama. Decorations such as Kagami-mochi and Kadomatsu carry deep meanings, wishing for family safety and prosperity. Additionally, the time families spend together during Oshogatsu enjoying Osechi-ryori and Zoni reflects the richness of Japanese culture.

This article explains New Year customs in Japan. Please read on if you want to learn about the depth and beauty of Japanese culture.

Contents

1.What is “Oshogatsu,” Celebrating the Japanese New Year?

Oshogatsu in Japan is the most important event celebrating the beginning of the year. Generally, the Oshogatsu period continues from January 1st, called Ganjitsu, until January 7th, known as Matsu-no-uchi. Many businesses close during Sanganichi, the first three days from January 1st to 3rd, and families gather to prepare for welcoming the New Year.

At year’s end, people perform Osoji to purify their homes, preparing to welcome Toshigami-sama, the deity of the New Year. Furthermore, decorations using pine and bamboo are placed at entrances, wishing for household safety and bountiful harvests. On Omisoka (New Year’s Eve) night, the custom of eating Toshikoshi-soba, symbolizing longevity, is widely established.

On the morning of Ganjitsu, many people view Hatsuhinode wishing for good fortune in the coming year, and it’s considered a day to avoid work and calm one’s mind. Additionally, many worshippers visit shrines and temples for Hatsumode, praying for health and safety in the new year. These traditions continue to be passed down as symbols of Japanese culture’s spirituality and seasonal awareness.

2. Japanese New Year Traditions and Customs

Japan’s Oshogatsu includes many customs passed down since ancient times. Here, we explain in detail the New Year traditions and customs that symbolize the spirituality of Japanese culture and the changing seasons.

2-1. Year-End Osoji

Year-end Osoji is preparation for welcoming Toshigami-sama, the deity of the New Year.In Japanese households, people carefully sweep, wipe, and organize even hard-to-reach places, purifying the entire home. This act not only removes dirt but also serves as a spiritual reset to dispel the old year’s fatigue and worries remaining in one’s heart, welcoming the new year with a refreshed feeling.

The custom of Osoji began in the Heian period, when ceremonies to sweep away a year’s worth of soot spread from the imperial court. Today, it has become an important time for families to share expectations for the coming year by working together to tidy the home.

2-2. Nengajo

Nengajo is a uniquely Japanese custom of conveying gratitude and updates to close acquaintances as New Year greetings. Post offices sell dedicated Nenga-hagaki (New Year postcards) from around October, and people prepare them during December to arrive on Ganjitsu.

While digital greetings have increased in recent years, traditional paper Nengajo retain a warm charm. If travelers send Nengajo while in Japan, it will become a good memory as a participatory experience in Japanese culture.

2-3. Kadomatsu

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Kadomatsu are decorations placed at home entrances during the New Year, serving as markers where Toshigami-sama descends. Made by combining bamboo, pine, and plum, each symbolizes longevity and prosperity. Kadomatsu typically come in pairs placed at the entrance, creating a purified atmosphere in front of homes and shops.

The display period is generally from late December until January 7th, Matsu-no-uchi. Travelers visiting Japan can enjoy the festive seasonal atmosphere characteristic of Oshogatsu by viewing Kadomatsu throughout the city.

2-4. Shimekazari (Shimenawa)

Shimekazari are purifying decorations hung at entrances and doorways, serving to prevent evil spirits from entering and prepare for welcoming Toshigami-sama. They combine Shimenawa with lucky items such as Shide (paper streamers), bitter oranges, and pine, wishing for household peace and prosperity. The origin of Shimekazari lies in ancient Shinto beliefs, derived from hanging ropes to indicate sacred places.

2-5. Kagami-mochi

Kagami-mochi is a mochi decoration offered to Toshigami-sama during the New Year. Round mochi are stacked in two tiers with a bitter orange placed on top. The round shape signifies harmony and completeness, while the two tiers of mochi are said to symbolize the cycle of the year and the harmony of yin and yang.

Kagami-mochi are placed in living rooms or Buddhist altars and are believed to protect the home during the New Year period. After the display period ends, families perform Kagami-biraki, breaking and eating the mochi, wishing for a year of safety.

2-6. Toshikoshi-soba

Toshikoshi-soba is a representative Japanese noodle dish eaten on Omisoka. The long, thin soba symbolizes longevity, while its easily breakable nature is said to carry the meaning of cutting off the old year’s hardships. Therefore, many households eat soba on Omisoka night to conclude the year.

Soba restaurants also prepare special Toshikoshi-soba, and scenes of friends and families gathering around soba spread throughout the city. For travelers, Toshikoshi-soba is one easily experienced aspect of Japanese New Year culture.

2-7. Joya-no-kane

Joya-no-kane are temple bells rung at midnight on Omisoka, struck 108 times. This number represents the number of worldly desires in Buddhism, and each strike carries the meaning of purifying one’s heart. The bells begin ringing as the old year ends, timed to finish by midnight.

The time spent quietly listening to the deep sound of the bells is a special moment to calm one’s mind and prepare feelings for welcoming the new year. As a symbol of Japanese Omisoka, Joya-no-kane remains beloved by many people today.

2-8. Hatsuhinode

Hatsuhinode is the custom of viewing the year’s first sunrise on the morning of January 1st. Many people head to seasides or mountain observation decks in the early morning, quietly watching the moment the sun rises from the horizon. Hatsuhinode is considered a symbol of hope and new challenges, and it’s believed that bathing in its light brings a good year.

Particularly popular locations are around Mount Fuji, where the experience of viewing Hatsuhinode with majestic scenery provides uniquely Japanese inspiration.

2-9. Hatsumode at Temples and Shrines

Hatsumode is a traditional event of making the first visit to temples or shrines in the New Year to pray for a year of safety and health. Many people visit from midnight on Ganjitsu until the 3rd, putting their hands together before the deities. Famous sites like Meiji Jingu and Fushimi Inari Taisha attract many worshippers every year.

After worship, there are customs of drawing Omikuji to check one’s fortune or receiving Omamori to wish for safety throughout the year. Since travelers can easily participate, it becomes a good opportunity to experience Japanese culture.

2-10. Osechi-ryori

Osechi-ryori is traditional celebratory cuisine eaten during the New Year. The dishes are packed in Jubako (tiered boxes) and arranged on the dining table where families celebrate the new year. Each dish carries wishes for health, longevity, prosperity, and more. For example, shrimp symbolizes longevity, while lotus root represents the power to see into the future.

Osechi-ryori also serves the role of reducing kitchen work during the New Year period, designed so families can spend time relaxing.

2-11. Mochi, Ozoni, and Oshiruko

Mochi is a food symbolizing Japan’s New Year, with various shapes and flavors depending on households and regions. Zoni is a soup dish using mochi, with broth and ingredients varying greatly by region. In Kanto, clear broth with square mochi is typical, while in Kansai, white miso-based Zoni is common.

For those wanting to enjoy mochi sweetly, Oshiruko is recommended. It’s a warm sweet made by boiling adzuki beans with added sugar and soft mochi, popular during the cold season. Travelers can enjoy Japan’s diverse food culture by comparing different regional mochi dishes.

2-12. Otoshidama

Otoshidama is money given to children during the New Year, handed over in envelopes. This custom is one of the great joys for children, typically received from parents, grandparents, and relatives.

The amount varies by household but is generally between 2,000 to 10,000 yen. The origin of Otoshidama is said to derive from people sharing mochi that were offerings to Toshigami-sama, serving the role of deepening family bonds.

2-13. Hatsuyume

Hatsuyume refers to dreams seen from the night of January 1st to the morning of the 2nd, believed to symbolize the year’s fortune. In particular, “First Fuji, second hawk, third eggplant” is known as an auspicious dream. Mount Fuji represents Japan’s greatest height, hawks symbolize strength and wisdom, while eggplant connects to the word “nasu” (to accomplish), considered a symbol of wishes coming true.

The custom of viewing Hatsuyume is a spiritual culture of confirming hopes for the new year through dreams.

Conclusion

Japan’s Oshogatsu interweaves culture nurtured through long history with people’s wishes. The act of purifying homes through year-end Osoji and arranging Kadomatsu and Shimekazari has the clear purpose of preparing to welcome Toshigami-sama. Hatsuhinode and Hatsumode are important milestones for praying for a year’s safety and success, while regional variations of Zoni and mochi dishes convey the breadth of Japanese food culture.

These customs are not merely annual events but continue to be cherished as spiritual support for walking forward positively into the new year. Understanding Oshogatsu culture allows one to more deeply appreciate the spirituality and richness of Japanese life.

*This article is based on information available as of December 2025.

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