Japanese New Year


2017.03.31

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

JAPANESE NEW YEAR

While much of the world is watching glitter balls drop, wearing funny hats, and toasting with champagne Japan is one of the quietest places you could be on New Years Eve.

  • Traditionally, Japanese new year was in-line with a lot of Asia, and based on the Chinese lunar calendar. While the country still celebrates the animals of each year (2016 is the year of the Monkey), in 1873 the newly-restored emperor put Japan on a Western calendar and moved the new year to January 1st.

    NENGAJYO (New Year's card)

    NENGAJYO (New Year's card)

    Even so, much of the traditions of years-past are still in force, and the new year is more of a time for intimate family celebration than going out to party. Here are a few notable parts of the Japanese New Year to take note of.

  • 02

    Osechi Ryori

    Traditionally all businesses pretty much shut down in Japan during the new year, so in the past it was especially important to have enough stock of food to get through the downtime. Preserved dishes like salted fish are still common, but the ubiquitous osechi are still the most common tradition in a household.

    Osechi Ryori

    Osechi Ryori

    These days the osechi bento boxes contain a wide variety of different finger foods, but the focus is still on foods that will last a few days sitting on the kitchen table being slowly nibbled at. Lots of boiled foods, fish cakes, sweet beans, and other traditional foods are found arranged beautifully in the lacquered boxes.

  • 03

    Shrine Visit

    The equivalent of going to church on Christmas, but outside and in the cold, heading with the family to a local shrine is a tradition of many. Some opt to go during the day, or even a few days within the new year, though many still bear the cold weather and stand in line to give a short prayer for the new year.

    Shrine Visit

    Shrine Visit

  • 04

    Kohaku

    Officially called Kohaku Uta Gassen (Year-end festival of song), this nationally televised live broadcast of musicians and celebrities goes on for several hours on new years eve and has elaborate performances for an audience of millions. Since most people are at home for the evening with family it’s a tradition to at least have the show on in the background, though numbers have declined and the politics behind who gets picked to perform are murky at best.

  • 05

    Party Time

    These days you may find some city-dwellers opting for a more international style and going out on new years eve, but you’re more likely to find other travellers and ex-pats on your night out. Even so, check out our list of things to do in Japan during the new year and make your own fun!

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