New Year in Japan
Did you dream of eggplants?
You're likely aware that Japanese culture has its unique differences from our own. While the Japanese have their own holidays or commercialize them uniquely, events like New Year are celebrated worldwide, including in Japan. So, what sets the Japanese New Year apart from others?
The word for New Year in Japansese language is "Oshogatsu" (お正月). It marks a long winter break, offering several days off work. This is a family-oriented holiday, prompting many to travel and reunite with relatives. Consequently, numerous businesses shut down, except for convenience stores. New Year parties do occur, but they aren't as prevalent as in Europe. Oshogatsu bears some resemblance to our Christmas. Families gather at one house, often at the grandparents, the oldest members of the clan. On New Year's Eve, people indulge in toshikoshi soba, or "New Year soba." I've found no significant difference between this and regular soba noodles; it seems everyone makes it their own way. At midnight, instead of fireworks, the ringing of bells fills the air. In temples, bells are rung precisely 108 times. This number is significant in Buddhist tradition, representing the 108 earthly desires that plague humanity. Each bell toll is believed to purify one of these desires.


Kadomatsu and Shimekazari are traditional New Year's decorations.


The word "Hatsu" (初), meaning "for the first time," is closely linked to the New Year period. Many first-of-the-year activities hold special importance, forming a significant part of the traditions:
- Hatsumode (初詣): The first temple visit. Families come together to pray, purchase lucky charms, or offer gratitude for the past year. Popular temples see huge crowds during this time.
- Hatsuhinode (初日の出): Seeing the first sunrise of the year. Some Japanese eagerly watch the year’s first sunrise, often from mountain tops or beaches. They believe the deity Toshigami arrives with the sunrise, and wishes made at that time might come true.
- Hatsuyume (初夢): The first dream. This belief involves interpreting the first dream of the year. Certain symbols, like Mount Fuji, an eagle, or an eggplant, are considered lucky. The origin of these symbols remains unknown.
Other New Year traditions don’t feature "Hatsu." For instance, Kadomatsu (門松), a bamboo decoration, symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. Shimekazari (しめ飾り), a straw talisman, is believed to ward off evil spirits. On January 1st, people enjoy "Osechi-ryori" (お節料理), boxed feasts with symbolic dishes representing good fortune, prosperity, and happiness. A tradition cherished by children is "otoshidama" (お年玉), where they receive money in envelopes from adults, typically around 5000円. New Year is also one of two occasions when you can visit the normally private Imperial Palace grounds. The Imperial family appears several times to greet the public, although recent greetings have been only via video due to the pandemic.
Many contemporary events also mark the New Year. On television, special programs air, with NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen being one of the most popular. This show pits male and female artists and musical groups against each other in a friendly competition, with viewers voting on the best team. The array of TV shows is vast, though enjoying them requires some understanding of Japanese. Still, the music in Kōhaku Uta Gassen can be appreciated without fully grasping the lyrics. For sports enthusiasts, the "Hakone Ekiden" (箱根駅伝) marathon from Tokyo to Hakone and back, aired by Nippon Television, is a major event. Similarly, the "New Year Ekiden" (ニューイヤー駅伝) in Gunma Prefecture features a 100-kilometer route. Shops also participate in the New Year festivities with "fukubukuro" (福袋), or "lucky bags," stuffed with items worth more than the bag's price, though the contents remain a surprise. It’s partly a method for clearing unsold stock from the previous year.
New Year in Japan unfolds differently than in Europe, but I hope this gives you a glimpse into the intriguing culture and customs here. Many of these traditions echo our Christmas: family reunions, communal meals, temple visits, time off, and gifts for children. It's an enticing time to visit Japan. If the borders open and you're considering a trip during the New Year, it’s well worth exploring this vibrant culture!