Shōgatsu (正月), the Japanese New Year, is the most important and widely celebrated holiday in Japan. Unlike many cultures that mark the New Year with loud countdowns and parties, Shōgatsu is deeply rooted in tradition, spirituality, and family togetherness. It is a time to welcome fresh beginnings, show gratitude for the past year, and pray for good fortune in the year ahead.
Celebrated from January 1 to January 3 (with preparations beginning well before), Shōgatsu reflects Japan’s values of harmony, renewal, and respect for tradition.
Preparing for Shōgatsu: Cleaning and Closure
Preparations for the New Year begin in late December with Ōsōji, the annual deep cleaning of homes, offices, and public spaces. This ritual is more than just tidying up it symbolizes sweeping away bad luck, unresolved issues, and negative energy from the old year.
Another important tradition is settling debts, completing unfinished work, and resolving misunderstandings before the year ends. The idea is to start the New Year with a clean slate both physically and emotionally.
Kadomatsu and New Year Decorations
Homes and businesses are decorated with traditional ornaments to welcome Toshigami-sama, the Shinto deity believed to bring good fortune and a bountiful harvest.
- Kadomatsu: Arrangements of bamboo and pine placed at entrances to invite good luck.
- Shimenawa: Sacred straw ropes hung to ward off evil spirits.
- Kagami Mochi: A stack of round rice cakes topped with a bitter orange, symbolizing continuity and prosperity.
These decorations are typically displayed until January 7.
Ōmisoka: New Year’s Eve in Japan
December 31, known as Ōmisoka, is a quieter affair compared to Western New Year’s Eve celebrations. Families often gather at home to eat toshikoshi soba long buckwheat noodles symbolizing longevity and resilience.
At midnight, Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells 108 times in a ritual called Joya no Kane. Each bell toll represents one of the 108 earthly desires in Buddhism, believed to cause human suffering. Ringing the bells helps cleanse these desires and prepares people for a peaceful new year.
Hatsumōde: The First Shrine Visit
One of the most important Shōgatsu traditions is Hatsumōde, the first visit of the year to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple. Millions of people across Japan visit shrines between January 1 and 3 to:
- Pray for health, happiness, and success
- Purchase omamori (protective charms)
- Draw omikuji (fortune slips)
If the fortune is bad, it is often tied to a tree or rack at the shrine, symbolically leaving bad luck behind.
Osechi Ryōri: New Year’s Feast
Shōgatsu cuisine is both symbolic and seasonal. Osechi Ryōri is a beautifully arranged set of traditional dishes served in stacked lacquered boxes called jubako. Each item has a special meaning:
- Kuromame (black soybeans) – good health and diligence
- Kazunoko (herring roe) – prosperity and large families
- Datemaki (sweet rolled omelet) – knowledge and learning
- Ebi (shrimp) – longevity, symbolizing a bent back with age
The dishes are prepared in advance so families can relax without cooking during the holiday.
Otoshidama: A Joy for Children
Children eagerly look forward to Otoshidama, a tradition where they receive money from parents and relatives in small decorative envelopes called pochibukuro. The amount usually increases with age and is often saved for education or special purchases.
New Year Greetings and Cards
Exchanging New Year greetings is an important social custom. Many people send nengajō (New Year postcards) to friends, family, and colleagues. These cards often feature the zodiac animal of the year and are delivered simultaneously on January 1 by the Japanese postal service.
Common greetings include:
- Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu (Happy New Year)
- Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Please take care of me this year too)
A Time for Reflection and Renewal
Shōgatsu is ultimately about reflection, gratitude, and hope. Schools and many businesses remain closed, allowing people to slow down, reconnect with family, and set intentions for the year ahead.
In a fast-paced modern society, Shōgatsu stands as a reminder of the importance of balance honoring the past while welcoming the future with humility and optimism.
Conclusion
Shōgatsu is more than just the start of a new calendar year in Japan it is a deeply meaningful cultural event that blends Shinto beliefs, Buddhist practices, and centuries-old traditions. Through quiet rituals, symbolic food, and family gatherings, the Japanese New Year offers a powerful lesson in renewal, mindfulness, and the beauty of beginning again.
As Japan welcomes each new year, Shōgatsu continues to connect generations, preserve heritage, and inspire a hopeful start for all.
Originally written by: Nippon
Link to the article: https://www.nippon.com/en/features/jg00070/
