New Year’s in Japan

New Year’s or Oshogatsu (正月) in Japan is one of the most important holidays. Most people will return home to spend the time together with their families. Many people visit a temple at Midnight on December 31st as Buddhist temples all around Japan ring their bells a total of 108 times to symbolize the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief and to get rid of the 108 worldly desires.

New Year’s Day is meant to be full of joy and happiness with no stress or anger. Everything should be clean and you should not work on this day. It is tradition to visit a Shrine or Temple during Oshogatsu.


Here are some traditions and customs that are followed during New Year’s in Japan

Shimekazari - a small rope made from rice straws, with carefully crafted zigzag-shaped paper strips called shide. Shimekazari is used to keep the bad spirits away.

Image by h_okumura

Toshikoshi Soba – eaten on New Year’s Eve and symbolises longevity.

Image by gaku

  
Osechi Ryori (御節料理) – special dishes served during New Year’s and usually consist of konbu (boiled seaweed), kamaboko (fish cakes), kinpira gobo (burdock root), and kuromame (sweetened black beans).

Image by beegkahuna

 Ozoni (お雑煮) – a soup made with mochi (rice cakes) traditionally served on New Year’s Day.

Image by kimubert

 
Nengajo (年賀状) – Japanese custom of sending a New Year’s Day postcard to friends and relatives. It is very similar to our custom of sending Christmas Cards.

Image by Blue Lotus

 
Otoshidama (お年玉) – special money given to children on New Year’s Day. It is handed out in small decorated envelopes by family and relatives. The amount varies depending on the age of the child, but typically will be either ¥5,000 (USD$60) or ¥10,000 (USD$120).

Image by yuisotozakiphotography

Mochi (餅) – a favourite custom is creating mocha or rice cakes from boiled sticky rice. This is usually made before New Year’s Day and eaten during the start of New Year’s in January.

Hope you have a great New Year's and all the best for 2012