Japanese New 12 months - Shogatsu 正月 • Simply One Cookbook - いろいろジャポン|無断複写・転載を禁じます。

Japanese New 12 months is an important vacation of the yr in Japan. We bid farewell to the previous yr and welcome with new yr with particular meals, traditions, and customs. I’ll share how we have fun, together with my ideas and shortcuts to simplify and adapt the festivities so you possibly can concentrate on household and good needs for the approaching yr.

Large decorative sake barrels wrapped in straw, adorned with Japanese writing and symbols. The front barrel is open and covered with a red cloth, and festive ornaments are displayed on top. The background shows a marble wall.

Fast Overview

As annually involves an in depth, households in Japan excitedly put together for his or her most festive and vital vacation—Japanese New 12 months (Shogatsu)! The celebratory interval is lengthy, beginning in December and extends till the official finish of festivities on January eleventh.

The Japanese usher in a wholesome and affluent new yr with symbolic traditions and meals at house, work, college, and temples and shrines.

So, how can we have fun Japanese New 12 months at house? On this submit, I’m excited to share how the Japanese:

get pleasure from particular meals, customs, and traditions
simplify them to make celebrating straightforward and enjoyable
put together all through the month of December
bid farewell to the outdated yr on New 12 months’s Eve
welcome the brand new yr within the first days of January

Let’s dive in!

What’s Japanese New 12 months – Shōgatsu?

Japanese New 12 months, referred to as Shogatsu or Oshogatsu (お正月) is an important vacation in Japan. It’s celebrated on January 1st, referred to as as Gantan (元旦). Japan adopted the photo voltaic (Gregorian) calendar in 1873 throughout its modernization interval, shifting away from the standard lunar new yr.

Oshogatsu is crammed with significant traditions and customs, and preparations start properly earlier than January arrives. In December, households clear their houses, alternate year-end items, and prepare for the vacation.

We welcome the New 12 months with osechi ryori (おせち料理)—fantastically ready celebratory feast—together with visits to temples and shrines. It’s all meant to welcome a recent begin and luck for the yr forward.

What We Eat for Japanese New 12 months

An assortment of traditional Japanese New Year foods, including colorful seafood, vegetables, and sweets arranged in lacquered boxes and bowls on a wooden table.

After I was rising up, we often spent New 12 months’s Day with my mom’s aspect of the household in Osaka. Whereas the lads deep cleaned the home, three generations of girls—my grandma, my aunts, my mother, and I—gathered within the kitchen all day lengthy over a couple of days to make the standard Japanese New 12 months meals.

Referred to as osechi ryori (おせち料理), or osechi (おせち) for brief, this colourful and deeply significant feast is packed into three-tiered bins referred to as jubako.

A conventional osechi menu could include as much as 15 dishes or extra, and every dish is an edible good-luck appeal crammed with hopes for the approaching yr.

Additionally, we get pleasure from different customary meals served with, earlier than, or after the large osechi feast. It’s possible you’ll know many of those well-known and scrumptious dishes!

What We Do for Japanese New 12 months

Right here’s a fast rundown of the standard customs in Japan main as much as Japanese New 12 months (JNY) from December via early January.

DECEMBER

In Japan, December is a time of preparation for the New 12 months. Households, workplaces, and communities spend the month wrapping up the yr whereas making ready to welcome a recent begin.

The month of December known as Shiwasu (師走) in Japanese, and the kanji character actually means “masters/lecturers run.” This suggests that it’s a busy time even for sometimes calm and composed mentors and sensei.

12 months-end items: Oseibo

On the finish of the yr, individuals ship out items referred to as oseibo (お歳暮) to their managers, prospects, and lecturers to precise appreciation for your entire yr. Widespread present objects embrace:

recent meals (seafood, meat, and fruits)
condiments
beer
tea/espresso
canned meals
desserts
present certificates

Neglect-the-year celebration: Bonenkai

How to Host a Japanese-Themed Party | Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

There are a lot of year-end events with colleagues and executives referred to as bonenkai (忘年会), which implies “forget-the-year celebration.”

Firms typically have events from early to late December earlier than shutting down within the last week of December.

The large cleansing: Ōsouji (Dec. 13–28)

Individuals meticulously clear their houses, workplaces, and companies from high to backside throughout this time. This annual year-end home cleansing custom known as Ōsouji (大掃除) or “the large cleansing.”

Remove the filth, mud, and litter from the previous yr.
Welcome the brand new yr with a clear, recent house and thoughts.

Rice cake pounding: Mochitsuki (on Dec. 28)

A man in traditional Japanese clothing pounds steamed rice with a wooden mallet in an outdoor stone mortar for mochi making, while another person stands nearby. Pots and water are placed next to the mortar.

Japanese lacquer bowls containing red bean soup with mochi.

Mochitsuki (餅つき), or rice desserts pounding, is a crucial annual occasion often carried out on the twenty eighth, thought-about an auspicious day.

Historically, households steamed glutinous rice and pounded it in a big Japanese stamp mill with a picket pestle referred to as kine (杵). Nowadays, you possibly can typically discover mochitsuki occasions held at temples/shrines and group facilities.

We devour mochi to want for good well being within the new yr.
There may be nothing like consuming fresh-made mochi—it’s so clean and springy! Add recent mochi to Zenzai (candy crimson bean soup).
Make Kagami Mochi—rice cake ornament (see subsequent part).

Japanese New 12 months decorations (earlier than Dec. 28)

Japanese New 12 months decorations are exhibited to welcome Toshigami, the deity of the New 12 months, and to wish for good well being, happiness, and prosperity within the yr forward. Widespread decorations embrace:

Kagami Mochi (鏡餅)
Kadomatsu (門松)🎍
Shimekazari (しめ飾り)

Kagami Mochi – Displayed indoors on December 28, this New 12 months providing consists of two stacked rice desserts topped with a “daidai” bitter orange. It represents household concord and longevity.

A traditional Japanese New Year kagami mochi display with two stacked rice cakes, a mandarin orange on top, and decorative elements, set on a wooden surface.

Kagami Mochi decoration made with plastic.

Trendy choice: Discover plastic kagami mochi (crammed with individually packaged rice desserts) offered at Japanese grocery shops in December, or show a ceramic kagami mochi ornament.

Kado Matsu – Historically made with pine branches and angled bamboo stalks, these New 12 months decorations are positioned at entrances or gates to information the New 12 months deity to the house. They symbolize longevity, power, and prosperity.

A traditional Japanese temple entrance decorated with large straw-bottomed arrangements of pine, bamboo, and red berries, known as kadomatsu, for the New Year. White banners with black crests hang in the background.

Japanese New Year Kadomatsu | Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

Trendy choice: Simplify with mini-kadomatsu decorations discovered at Japanese outlets and supermarkets, or create your individual artistic pine and bamboo preparations.

Shimekazari – Held on entrance doorways, gates, or close to family altars, this New 12 months ornament is constituted of sacred straw ropes (shimenawa) to welcome the New 12 months deity and defend the house from misfortune.

A traditional Japanese shimenawa decoration for Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu), with fern leaves, white paper strips, and an orange, hangs above a wooden door under a wooden roof.

Shelves in a Japanese store display New Year’s decorations, including colorful ornaments made of paper, straw, pine, and bamboo, with red and gold accents and signs in Japanese above each section.

Trendy choice: Simplify with mini-shimekazari decorations discovered at Japanese outlets and supermarkets, or create your individual artistic pine and bamboo preparations.

When to Show and Take away Decorations

Put up New 12 months decorations by December 28.
Many individuals keep away from adorning on December 29, because the quantity 9 is related to dangerous luck.
Take decorations down after Matsunouchi—January 7 in jap Japan and January 15 in western Japan. They’re typically returned to shrines to be burned in a ceremonial ritual.

Put together New 12 months feast: Osechi ryori (Dec. 27–Jan. 1)

Three sheets of paper with hand-drawn boxes and colorful sticky notes, each featuring sketches of various foods and handwritten labels in Japanese, arranged on a white marble surface.

A colorful Japanese New Year’s feast (osechi-ryori) arranged in lacquered boxes, featuring shrimp, rolled omelette, black beans, pickled vegetables, fish roe, lotus root, and decorative garnishes on a wooden table.

We sometimes cook dinner osechi dishes within the final 4 days of December, ending on the morning of January 1st. Nevertheless, the organizing, planning, and grocery procuring begin weeks earlier!

Nami’s Tip:

NEW YEAR’S EVE: Ōmisoka

The Japanese often have fun New 12 months’s Eve—referred to as Ōmisoka (大晦日)—and New 12 months’s Day with household. I really feel this vacation is equal to American Thanksgiving.

Take pleasure in New 12 months’s Eve dinner

Every household has its personal traditions for New 12 months’s Eve dinner. Rising up in Japan, I keep in mind my household typically making ready temaki (sushi hand rolls) or sukiyaki as our last meal of the yr.

A temaki hand roll sushi spread on the dining table, consisting of plates and bowls containing sushi rice, sashimi, vegetable fillings, and nori seaweed.

Japanese round cast iron pan containing Sukiyaki, a Japanese hot pot dish where marbled beef, tofu, and vegetables are simmered in sweetened soy sauce broth.

The preferred menus are:

In some areas of Japan, individuals even begin consuming osechi ryori on New 12 months’s Eve!

Watch an annual NYE present: Kohaku Utagassen

A television displays a Japanese awards show with three smiling hosts in formal attire—one woman in red, two men in suits, one holding a trophy—standing on a colorful, festive stage.

At night time, many individuals get pleasure from watching a well-liked music contest broadcasted by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Company) referred to as Kohaku Utagassen (紅白歌合戦).

It’s a stay singing contest between the crimson staff (feminine singers) and the white staff (male singers). The individuals embrace younger J-pop singers in addition to Japanese ballad enka singers. On the finish of the present, the viewers solid their votes for the crimson or white staff.

Take pleasure in “yr crossing over” noodles: Toshikoshi soba

A bowl of soba noodle soup topped with sliced fish cake, seaweed, chopped green onions, and seasoning, with chopsticks and a blue napkin beside it on a wooden table.

Earlier than the yr ends, the Japanese should eat soba noodle soup within the Toshikoshi Soba (年越し蕎麦) custom.

The lengthy, skinny buckwheat noodles symbolize longevity.
My household snacked on small bowls of soba whereas watching the singing contest.

Do you know?

At any time earlier than 11:59 PM on December thirty first, the Japanese say, “Yoi otoshio!“ (良いお年を), which implies “Have a pleasant yr!”

Till then, we won’t say “Completely satisfied New 12 months!”

Hearken to temple bells: Joya no kane

Two people at night, one swinging a wooden beam to strike a large bronze bell, while the other stands nearby. Lanterns and trees are visible in the background, creating a festive and traditional atmosphere.

So far as midnight traditions go, the Japanese keep up till midnight to hearken to the 108 chimes of temple bells, which we name joya no kane (除夜の鐘).

Temples all through Japan ring their massive bells 107 occasions simply earlier than midnight and as soon as after midnight.
It’s a Buddhist perception that this helps individuals eliminate evil passions and wishes, purifying their hearts for the upcoming yr.

After the stroke of midnight, we lastly say “Akemashite omedeto (gozaimasu)!“ (明けましておめでとうございます), which implies “Completely satisfied New 12 months!”

NEW YEAR’S DAY: Oshogatsu

In Japan, the New 12 months’s celebration sometimes lasts for the primary three days of the yr. January 1–3 is a nationwide vacation in Japan, and most companies shut down. Households sometimes return to go to their hometowns and spend these few days collectively.

View first dawn: Hatsuhinode

Sunset over a city with buildings in the foreground, misty hills beyond, and an orange sky evokes the serenity of Japanese New Year – Oshogatsu, as the low sun casts a warm festive glow across the tranquil landscape.

We name the primary day of the brand new yr Ganjitsu (元日), and many individuals get up early and go to a scenic spot to greet the primary rising solar, Hatsuhinode (初日の出). Shrines typically supply free amazake for good well being and fortune through the first go to of the yr.

Take pleasure in New 12 months’s feast: Osechi ryori

On the morning of January 1st, we prepare the osechi meals in a two- or three-tier field referred to as jubako (お重箱). The household then gathers (brunch for us) to get pleasure from this most vital and symbolic meal of the yr.

Take pleasure in mochi soup and sake: Ozoni and otoso

Ozoni (New Year Mochi Soup), Kanto Style| Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

A black and gold lacquered bowl containing Japanese New Year Soup Ozoni.

The Japanese get pleasure from mochi, drink candy medicinal sake referred to as otoso (お屠蘇), and eat mochi soup referred to as ozoni (お雑煮) as accompaniments to the osechi meal.

There are two major regional types of this standard and hearty rice cake soup:

Open greeting playing cards: Nengajō

Four colorful Japanese New Year cards with cute illustrations, including a mountain, a cat, a character holding a fan, and Totoro with 2018 in the background, laid out on a wooden surface.

Display of colorful New Year greeting cards with Japanese designs and illustrations, organized on store shelves under a red sign with Japanese text. Cards feature flowers, animals, Mt. Fuji, and festive motifs.

After the meal, the household gathers to learn nengajō (年賀状), New 12 months’s greeting playing cards specifically marked for supply on January 1st. Nengajō typically options the Chinese language zodiac animal for the New 12 months, with annually represented by a special animal.

In December, most stationery shops in Japan promote pre-printed nengajō (年賀状) with seasonal designs.

Give financial items for kids: Otoshidama

Japanese new year money envelop for kids called otoshidama

A store display features colorful Japanese envelopes, many with animal designs like rabbits, bears, and cows, as well as festive patterns. The display is neat, and there are Japanese signs and labels throughout.

Kids sit up for receiving otoshidama (お年玉) on New 12 months’s Day. Dad and mom, kinfolk, or acquaintances current this financial present in a small conventional envelope.

In December, yow will discover these cash envelopes (お年玉袋 and ポチ袋) at most stationery shops in Japan and at Japanese supermarkets outdoors of Japan.

Play conventional video games

traditional game called karuta played on Japanese New Year

There are a few video games that the Japanese historically play on New 12 months’s Day.

A few of my favorites are:

Japanese badminton with a picket rectangular racket referred to as hanetsuki (羽根つき)
Kite flying referred to as takoage (凧揚げ)
Card recreation referred to as karuta (かるた)

FIRST DAYS OF JANUARY FESTIVITIES

First temple/shrine go to: Hatsumode (Jan. 1–3)

A group of people stand in line outside a traditional Japanese shrine with ornate red architecture, under a clear blue sky, likely during a festival or special event.

A display of various Japanese omamori (amulets) and charms neatly arranged in wooden trays on a table at a shrine. A person in traditional attire is partially visible behind the counter.

In the course of the first three days of the New 12 months, the Japanese additionally go to a shrine or temple to wish for happiness and good luck within the coming yr. Known as hatsumōde (初詣), this custom has been deeply ingrained in Japanese tradition for hundreds of years.

Shrines like Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine (明治神宮) entice over 3 million guests over three days.
Most individuals gown casually, although some guests get pleasure from carrying kimono (着物) to have fun the New 12 months.
Guests purchase an excellent luck appeal referred to as omamori (お守り) on the temple for defense from sickness, accidents, and disasters.

Take pleasure in hanabira mochi (month of January)

A decorative plate holds several individually wrapped pieces of Japanese confectionery, likely mochi, each in clear plastic packaging with Japanese writing on it. The plate rests on a dark wooden surface.

As soon as the New 12 months begins, we purchase blush pink confections referred to as hanabira mochi (花びら餅). These half-moon formed mochi are solely out there in January and served on the first tea ceremony of the brand new yr.

Sweetened items of burdock root protrude from each side, with white miso in between.
It’s a simplification of hagatame no gishiki (歯固めの儀式) or “enamel hardening ceremony” from the Heian interval (794–1185).
We eat it to want for a wholesome and lengthy life (with good enamel!)

Take pleasure in 7-herb rice porridge: Nanakusa gayu (Jan. 7)

A ceramic pot filled with rice porridge topped with grilled tofu cubes and chopped greens sits on a wooden table, next to a wooden spoon and various dishes.

On January seventh, the Japanese observe a convention referred to as Nanakusa no Sekku (七草の節句), or the Pageant of the Seven Herbs. We eat a soothing rice porridge referred to as nanakusa gayu (七草粥).

It’s believed to deliver good well being and chase away evil spirits within the new yr.
Gentle and comforting, it permits our stomachs to get well from the New 12 months feasts.

“Open the mirror”: Kagami biraki (Jan. 11)

To conclude the Japanese New 12 months celebrations, kagami biraki (鏡開き) is usually held on January eleventh. This ceremony actually means “opening the mirror” or breaking of the mochi. Right here’s how we do it:

Take away the round-shaped mochi from the household altar.
Break them into smaller items with a picket mallet or your arms.
Cook dinner them in dessert or soup like Zenzai.
Symbolizes a prayer for well being and luck.

FAQs

How do you have fun JNY at house?

Right here in the US, we get pleasure from a household dinner on New 12 months’s Eve and snack on small bowls of soba noodle soup to want for longevity. On New 12 months’s Day, we get pleasure from a feast of Japanese New 12 months meals referred to as osechi ryori and mochi soup referred to as ozoni.

What meals are eaten for Japanese New 12 months?

We eat deeply significant Japanese New 12 months meals referred to as osechi ryori that symbolize all the needs and hopes for the approaching yr like good future, good well being, and prosperity. We get pleasure from different customary meals round this vacation like toshikoshi soba, ozoni (mochi soup), mochi rice desserts, zenzai, and seven-herb rice porridge.

What’s osechi ryori and what does it imply?

Japanese New 12 months meals referred to as osechi ryori could include as much as 15 dishes or extra, and every dish is an edible good-luck appeal crammed with hopes for the approaching yr. The osechi custom began greater than 1,000 years in the past as a particular providing to the gods. Ultimately, it turned the New 12 months feast that on a regular basis households get pleasure from immediately.

What’s toshikoshi soba and when do you eat it?

Earlier than New 12 months’s Eve ends, the Japanese eat soba noodle soup within the Toshikoshi Soba custom. These lengthy, skinny buckwheat noodles symbolize longevity.

Now that you’ve got realized how the Japanese have fun New 12 months, I hope you possibly can add a few of our traditions, customs, and meals into your individual festivities, regardless of the place on the earth you reside.

As a Japanese dwelling in the US, I hope the spirit and good needs of Japanese New 12 months will proceed with future generations.

Completely satisfied New 12 months!

Yoi Otoshi O! 良いお年を！(earlier than January 1)

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu! 明けましておめでとうございます！(after January 1)

Editor’s Observe: This submit was initially printed on December 29, 2015. It was up to date on December 30, 2022, and republished on December 26, 2025.