Once Christmas ends in Japan, the entire country suddenly changes into the new year mood, with everybody doing their new year cleaning and preparing to enter the new year. How much do you know about Japan's new year? Have you heard of Toshikoshi soba, Zōni, Osechi, Hatsu-mode, or Otoshidama?
Let's take a look at some of Japan's new year customs and meals during this period.
Culture
Dec 22. 2023
Spending the New Year in Japan - Toshikoshi & Hatsu-mode
What are Omisoka and Shogatsu-sanganichi?
The last day of December is known as "Omisoka" in Japan and is said to be the day where you prepare to meet the god of the incoming year. January 1st to 3rd is known as "shogatsu-sanganichi" and is often spent with family and friends celebrating the new year.
Furthermore, from 12/29 to 1/3 most sightseeing spots, restaurants, shops, and other businesses will close. Bear this in mind if you're planning to visit Japan during this period!
How to Prepare for the New Year?
In Japan, once the end of December rolls around, most households and businesses will begin a major cleanup to ensure all dust and dirt from the previous year is cleaned.
Many families and businesses will also display New Year's decorations in their entrance to ensure the god of the incoming year will visit. Ornaments such as Shimenawa and Kadomatsu are popular. Many families also display a kagami mochi - a small rounded piece of mochi with an orange on top - to invite the gods in.
Many Japanese people will eat "Toshikoshi Soba" on December 31st to bring in the New Year.
While there are many theories for why people eat Toshikoshi Soba on Omisoka, it's often said that the long length of soba noodles helps manifest a long life. With soba being easier to cut than most other noodles, it is believed that soba "allows one to cut all ties from evil from the previous year" and helps avoid disasters and other unlucky happenings. People will usually top the soba noodles with tempura shrimp, due to the shrimp's long beard and posture resembling the elderly. Furthermore, since shrimp turns red when cooked, this is often seen as a good omen. Shrimp is also used a lot in other New Year dishes including osechi.
When it comes to events during Omisoka, the most important one has to be the temple bell being rung 108 times on New Year's Eve. Many Japanese people will head towards the temple to listen to this bell after eating their toshikoshi soba noodles.
This bell ringing is a Buddhist custom. Having the priest ring the bell 108 times it is said to represent the 108 worldy desires, and through ringing the bell it is believed that everyone may be rid of these desires for the new year.
Hatsu-yume, Hatsu-hi-no-de, Hatsu-mode... Japanese People Love "Firsts"
In Japan there are many things that are treasured when done for the first time after the new year, these things are often called "Hatsu-something", which means "first" in Japanese.
For example, the first sunrise after the new year has arrived is known as "Hatsu-hi-no-de". People even climb tall mountains such as Mt. Fuji to be able to see the rising sun on the first day of the new year.
After seeing the sun rise in the morning, the first visit to a shrine or temple is known as "Hatsu-mode".
Other firsts during this period are things such as seeing your first dream of the new year (Hatsu-yume), laughing for the first time (Hatsu-warai), and more.
New Year's Food
During shogatsu-sanganichi from Jan 1 to Jan 3, Japanese people will eat traditional dishes such as osechi and zouni, and some families will also play traditional games such as fukuwarai, karuta and kite flying.
Depending on the region, some places will have different and unique toppings for their toshikoshi soba such as shrimp and carrots.
The meal eaten to celebrate new year's day is called osechi.
It contains black soybeans, herring roe, grilled shrimp, red and white namasu, datemaki*, and more, all of which are said to contain wishes and good omens for the new year. These kaiseki meals are typically packed within a box similar to a bento, called a "jubako". *Rolled omelette mixed with fish
Another common dish during the New Year's period is zouni, which contains daikon, carrots, and fish that differ depending on the region. The dish itself is boiled in miso and soy sauce broth.
While the ingredients used in this dish may differ depending on the region, almost everyone typically uses mochi as one of the ingredients. However, the type of mochi can differ, such as square mochi, round mochi, anko (red bean) mochi, and more.
There are also drinks that are typical to the New Year's period.
During the holiday, people often drink a celebratory sake known as "Toso", which is said to ward off evil spirits for the past year and aid in longevity.
"Ama-zake" is a type of sweet rice wine that you'll see at temples, made from rice and koji*. There are many delicious foods and drinks that are consumed over New Year's, and it can cause some people to gain weight over this period. *A traditional Japanese fermented ingredient
Enjoy a New Year's Meal from the Supermarket or Convenience Store!
If you're visiting Japan over the New Year's period, make sure to visit a supermarket or convenience store where you can pick up some of these foods.
Osechi bento boxes are usually reservation only, so it may be difficult to purchase on the day. However, you can buy the ingredients separately at most supermarkets. Pick up some things that you want to try and enjoy them in your hotel room.
Finally, there is "otoshidama" where adults will give pocket money to their children in a small envelope in a custom that has been around since ancient times.
Around this time of year you'll find cute envelopes and other such stationery featuring popular anime characters. These are often bought and used to gift otoshidama, but they're also perfect as souvenirs!
Contents Source
This information is sourced by Fun Japan Communications Co., Ltd.
There may be business closures, changes to hours of operation,
or temporary suspension of the service of alcoholic beverages, etc.,
implemented without prior notice.
For details, please check the official websites or inquire with the
establishments directly.
