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In 1873, Japan underwent a bold cultural revolution when it officially decided to abolish the Lunar New Year and switch to celebrating the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. Over 150 years have passed, and although the New Year is celebrated according to the Western calendar, the essence of East Asian culture remains deeply ingrained in every ritual and dish of the New Year, creating an unmistakable Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu) identity.
The upcoming New Year's Day holiday in 2026 promises to be an opportunity for international tourists to witness this fascinating cultural exchange. In Japan, all businesses and government agencies typically close for four days, from December 31st to January 3rd, and many people even combine this with a week of leave to return home and reunite with their families. This is a golden opportunity to discover unique customs that the Japanese have preserved intact for centuries.
The ritual of welcoming the deity Toshigami.
For the Japanese, the New Year is not just a change of numbers on the calendar, but a sacred time to welcome Toshigami, the god of bountiful harvests and ancestral blessings. Therefore, preparations begin very early with the Osoji ritual (Great Purification). This is not simply cleaning the house, but signifies cleansing away the dust of the old year, clearing away bad luck to welcome new fortune. The whole family works together to clean every nook and cranny, transforming the house into a spotless and pure space.
After cleaning their homes, the Japanese decorate (usually on December 28th or 30th, avoiding the 29th because the pronunciation sounds similar to the word for "suffering"). Three essential items placed in front of each family's door are Kadomatsu, Shimekazari, and Kagami Mochi. Kadomatsu are a pair of plant pots made from bamboo tubes, pine branches, and plum branches placed in front of the gate, serving as lighthouses guiding the gods down to earth.
Shimekazari, or sacred straw rope garlands decorated with bitter oranges and fern leaves, are hung at the front door to ward off evil spirits and illness. Kagami Mochi, or round rice cakes stacked with daidai oranges, are placed respectfully on altars as offerings to deities, symbolizing fulfillment and the continuation of generations.
Tet holiday cuisine
The atmosphere of the Japanese New Year wouldn't be complete without the flavors of traditional dishes steeped in feng shui symbolism. On New Year's Eve, while temple bells chime, people gather to enjoy a bowl of Toshikoshi Soba noodles. The long, chewy noodles symbolize longevity, and biting through the noodles signifies cutting away all the misfortunes and bad luck of the old year to usher in a more peaceful new year.
Toshikoshi Soba – an indispensable dish on New Year's Eve, symbolizing longevity and the wish to cast away all the bad luck of the old year.
In the early days of the new year, instead of strenuous cooking, Japanese housewives prepare beautifully decorated Osechi Ryori boxes. Each dish in the Osechi box carries a wish: herring roe (Kazunoko) for many children and grandchildren, kelp (Kobu) for joy, chestnuts (Kurikinton) for wealth... On January 7th, the custom of eating Nanakusa Gayu (seven-herb porridge) with seven types of herbs helps the stomach recover after feasts and wishes for good health throughout the year.
The custom of eating Nanakusa Gayu porridge on January 7th is believed to nourish the body and bring good health in the new year.
Hatsumode and the New Year's Eve bell
In Japan, the transition between the old and new year takes place in a solemn and tranquil atmosphere, accompanied by the ringing of temple bells. At large temples such as Chion-in (Kyoto) or Zojoji (Tokyo), the Joya no Kane (Bell Ringing Ceremony) is performed with 108 resounding bell tolls, symbolizing the removal of 108 human afflictions according to Buddhist teachings. People listen silently, sending their wishes for peace into the air.
The traditional New Year's Eve bells of the Japanese
Immediately after midnight or on the morning of the first day of the new year, crowds flock to Shinto shrines or temples to perform Hatsumode – the first visit to the gods of the year. They throw 5-yen coins (Go-en, pronounced similarly to the word for "destiny") into donation boxes, clap their hands in prayer, and draw Omikuji fortune slips to predict their fate. In addition, the custom of Hatsuhinode – watching the first sunrise of the new year on beaches or mountaintops – is also extremely popular among young people, seen as a ritual to recharge with positive energy for a bright start.
The culture of giving and receiving gifts (Nengajo)
Despite the advancements in digital technology, the Japanese still maintain the beautiful tradition of expressing affection through the Otoshidama red envelopes given to children. The monetary gift, though not large, is given with utmost respect and contained in cute, printed envelopes. Alongside this is the culture of sending New Year's greeting cards, Nengajo. Even with the rise of email and text messages, the millions of paper cards delivered precisely by the Japanese postal service on the morning of January 1st remain a testament to the meticulousness, hospitality, and deep respect for relationships of the Japanese people.
The culture of writing greeting cards in Nengajo.
It can be said that the decision to change the New Year's calendar in the 19th century helped Japan integrate strongly with the Western economy, but this did not cause them to lose their identity. On the contrary, the Gregorian New Year in Japan today is a unique cultural tourism product, where visitors can both experience modern life and immerse themselves in the mystical spiritual atmosphere of one of Asia's oldest civilizations.
