From First Tracks to First Prayers: Experiencing the New Year in Japan
In Japan, the arrival of a new year is much more than a moment of celebration. Known as Shogatsu, the New Year period is one of the most important occasions in the Japanese calendar, deeply rooted in family traditions, seasonal food and spiritual customs. It is a time to leave the previous year behind, express gratitude, welcome good fortune and make wishes for the year ahead.
Unlike Christmas, which has increasingly become a romantic and commercial occasion in Japan, New Year remains fundamentally a family celebration. Many people return to their hometowns to spend several days with parents, grandparents and relatives. Homes are carefully prepared, special decorations are displayed, traditional dishes are brought to the table, and visits to shrines and temples mark the beginning of the year.
For visitors, experiencing New Year in Japan offers an opportunity to discover a side of the country that is not always visible during the rest of the year. The traditions are sometimes intimate and family-centred, sometimes deeply spiritual, and often surprisingly elaborate. From the final bowl of soba on December 31 to the first prayer of January, each moment carries its own meaning.
December 31: Leaving the Old Year Behind
The transition into the New Year begins well before midnight.
In the final days of December, Japanese households traditionally undertake osoji, a thorough year-end cleaning. Homes are cleaned from top to bottom, belongings are organised and unnecessary items are put away. The idea is to welcome the new year into a clean and orderly environment, leaving the previous year's accumulated dust and disorder behind.
Traditional decorations are also displayed. Kadomatsu, arrangements made with pine and bamboo, are placed at entrances to welcome the New Year's deities and invite good fortune into the household. Inside, families may display kagami mochi, two round rice cakes stacked together and topped with a small bitter orange, symbolising continuity and prosperity across generations.
December 31 is known as Omisoka. It is a quieter occasion for many families, often spent at home, enjoying a special dinner and preparing for the moment when one year gives way to the next.
One of the most important traditions of the evening is toshikoshi soba, literally meaning year crossing noodles.
These buckwheat noodles are traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve, often before midnight. Their long, slender shape symbolises longevity and the wish for a long and healthy life. Their tendency to break more easily than other noodles is also associated with leaving behind the difficulties and misfortunes of the previous year.
There is no single obligatory way to enjoy them. They can be served hot in a light dashi broth, often with spring onions, tempura or other toppings, or enjoyed cold. What matters is the symbolism of the meal and the moment it represents.
It is important to distinguish this tradition from the New Year's dishes eaten from January 1 onwards. Toshikoshi soba belongs to the final evening of the year, while osechi ryori and ozoni are central to the celebrations that follow.
As midnight approaches, another sound can be heard across Japan: the ringing of Buddhist temple bells.
Known as Joya no Kane, this ceremony traditionally involves ringing the temple bell 108 times, representing the 108 earthly desires or human attachments in Buddhist thought. The ritual symbolises the purification of these desires and the opportunity to begin the new year with a clearer mind.
At some temples, visitors gather to listen to the bells, while others may have the opportunity to take part in the ceremony under the temple's guidance. It is a remarkable way to experience the transition into the New Year, far removed from the fireworks and countdown parties familiar in many other countries.
January 1: A Morning of New Beginnings
The first day of January, known as Ganjitsu, is traditionally reserved for family, reflection and welcoming the year ahead.
For some, the day begins particularly early with hatsuhinode, the viewing of the first sunrise of the year. Watching the first light appear over the horizon is considered an auspicious way to welcome new beginnings. Coastal viewpoints, mountain landscapes and locations with views of Mount Fuji are particularly popular for this occasion.
The Japanese Zodiac: Welcoming the Year of the Sheep
In Japan, each New Year is associated with one of twelve zodiac animals, following a traditional cycle known as Jūnishi (十二支). Rooted in the Chinese zodiac and deeply integrated into Japanese culture, this twelve-year cycle assigns a symbolic animal to each year.
As Japan welcomes 2027, the country enters the Year of the Sheep, known as Hitsuji-doshi (未年). Traditionally associated with gentleness, harmony, compassion and peaceful relationships, the sheep represents a year of balance and well-being.
The zodiac animal becomes a familiar presence throughout the New Year season. From decorative figurines and traditional greeting cards to seasonal sweets and shrine decorations, sheep motifs can be found across Japan as people welcome the year ahead.
The tradition also extends to personal celebrations. In Japan, the zodiac animal corresponding to one's birth year is known as their Eto. Discovering one's zodiac sign is a charming way to explore Japanese cultural traditions, particularly when shared between generations.
The twelve animals follow a repeating cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar.
For visitors, discovering the Year of the Sheep offers another perspective on Japanese New Year, where symbolism, seasonal customs and the hope for a prosperous year are woven into everyday celebrations.
The meaning behind Japan's New Year table
One of the most distinctive elements of Japanese New Year is osechi ryori, a collection of traditional dishes prepared for the holiday and presented in beautifully arranged lacquered boxes called jubako.
At first glance, the boxes resemble an elaborate selection of small delicacies. But osechi is much more than a festive meal. Each ingredient has a symbolic meaning, expressing wishes for health, happiness, prosperity and the well-being of future generations.
The dishes are traditionally prepared in advance so that families can enjoy the first days of January without spending the holiday cooking.
Some of the most recognisable ingredients include:
● Kuromame: Sweet black soybeans. The word mame is associated with health, diligence and living well.
● Kazunoko: Herring roe, whose many eggs symbolise prosperity and the hope for many descendants.
● Tazukuri: Small dried sardines cooked in a sweet soy-based glaze. Traditionally associated with a good harvest and abundance.
● Kurikinton: A sweet preparation of chestnuts and sweet potato, whose golden colour represents wealth and prosperity.
● Datemaki: A rolled, slightly sweet omelette mixed with fish paste. Its rolled shape is associated with learning, knowledge and cultural refinement.
● Kobumaki: Fish wrapped in kelp. The word kobu is associated with yorokobu, meaning joy, making this a dish connected with happiness and celebration.
The arrangement, ingredients and preparation vary between regions and households. Some families prepare their own osechi, while others order elaborate sets from specialist restaurants, department stores or traditional food producers.
Another essential part of the New Year's table is ozoni, a warm soup containing mochi, Japanese rice cakes.
This is one of the most interesting regional differences in Japanese food culture. In the Kanto region, including Tokyo, ozoni is generally prepared with a clear, soy-based broth and square grilled mochi. In the Kansai region, including Kyoto and Osaka, it is more commonly made with a white miso broth and round mochi.
Other ingredients can include chicken, vegetables, mushrooms, fish cakes, yuzu and regional specialities. Every family may have its own recipe, sometimes passed down through generations.
For a visitor, sharing an authentic New Year's meal is a wonderful way to understand how food in Japan carries memories, regional identity and wishes for the future.
A first drink for the New Year
Another traditional drink associated with the season is otoso, a spiced herbal sake traditionally enjoyed to welcome the New Year and wish for health and longevity.
At temples and shrines, visitors may also encounter amazake, a warm, gently sweet drink made from fermented rice. Often served during the colder months, it is particularly comforting during a winter morning spent visiting a shrine or walking through a traditional neighbourhood.
Although the two drinks are sometimes confused, they are different. Otoso is a ceremonial sake prepared with medicinal herbs, while amazake is a rice-based drink that can be made with little or no alcohol, depending on the preparation.
Hatsumode: The First Prayer of the Year
Perhaps the most recognisable New Year tradition in Japan is hatsumode, the first visit of the year to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple.
During the first days of January, millions of people across the country make this visit. Families, couples, friends and individuals gather to express gratitude for the previous year and pray for good fortune in the one ahead.
The atmosphere is quite extraordinary. Approaches to major shrines become filled with visitors, food stalls, seasonal decorations and the sound of people making their first wishes of the year. Some arrive shortly after midnight, while others prefer the quieter atmosphere of the morning or later days of the holiday.
The experience also offers an opportunity to discover the different traditions of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
At a Shinto shrine, visitors generally purify their hands and mouth at the water basin before approaching the main hall. They make an offering, bow, clap their hands according to the shrine's custom, offer a prayer and bow again. At a Buddhist temple, the ritual is different: visitors generally place an offering, bow and pray quietly, without clapping.
The first visit is not simply about asking for good luck. It is also a moment of reflection, gratitude and intention for the year ahead.
Omamori: Leaving the Previous Year Behind
One of the most meaningful aspects of hatsumode is the tradition of returning old omamori and receiving new ones.
Omamori are small protective charms available at shrines and temples. They are associated with different wishes and intentions, including health, safe travels, academic success, professional achievement, relationships and protection.
Many people keep an omamori throughout the year, carrying it in a bag, placing it at home or keeping it close to something important to them.
When the year comes to an end, it is customary to return charms that have served their purpose or are around a year old. Shrines and temples often provide dedicated collection boxes or areas where visitors can respectfully return them. The charms are then traditionally disposed of through a sacred burning ceremony.
After returning the old charms, visitors may choose new omamori for the year ahead, each one representing a different wish or intention.
It is a simple gesture, but one that captures the spirit of Japanese New Year particularly well: expressing gratitude for the protection and good fortune of the previous year, while welcoming new hopes for the next.
For an international visitor, understanding the meaning behind this tradition makes the experience much more personal than simply purchasing a souvenir.
More Than a Prayer: The Traditions of the First Days
New Year in Japan extends beyond the first prayer. The first three days of January, known as Sanganichi, are traditionally an important period for family visits, meals and seasonal customs.
Children receive otoshidama, small envelopes containing money given by parents, grandparents and relatives. New Year's greeting cards, known as nengajo, are traditionally exchanged between family, friends and colleagues, arriving on January 1. Some households also enjoy traditional games, seasonal performances and activities that are associated with the holiday.
In certain parts of Japan, visitors may encounter shishimai, the traditional lion dance performed during New Year celebrations. The lion is believed to ward off misfortune and bring good health, and watching a performance is a lively way to discover the country's regional traditions.
There are also seasonal customs connected with food and the transition back into everyday life. On January 7, for example, many households enjoy nanakusa gayu, a rice porridge prepared with seven spring herbs. It is traditionally eaten to wish for good health and to give the body a gentler meal after several days of rich New Year dishes.
These customs reveal that Japanese New Year is not a single event, but a sequence of traditions that gradually welcome the new year into family life.
Experiencing New Year in Japan with Luxurique
For international visitors, New Year can be one of the most rewarding times to discover Japan, but it requires a different approach to planning.
It is also a period when much of the country moves according to its own rhythm. Many shops, museums, restaurants and other businesses close for several days, while transport networks, major shrines and popular destinations experience particularly high demand. Planning ahead is therefore essential, especially when travelling between cities or arranging special experiences.
At Luxurique, we see this period as an opportunity to create something more meaningful than a conventional winter itinerary.
For a family, it could begin with an introduction to the traditions of Japanese New Year, followed by a carefully arranged festive meal featuring osechi and regional specialities. Children could discover the meaning behind the different dishes, receive their own small New Year gifts and take part in seasonal activities.
For guests interested in Japanese culture and spirituality, the experience might include a guided visit to a historic temple or shrine, an introduction to the customs of hatsumode, or a private encounter with a local specialist who can explain the symbolism and rituals of the season. Depending on the location and availability, this could also be complemented by a temple stay, a meditation experience or an opportunity to discover traditional Buddhist practices.
For those wishing to welcome the first morning of the year in a particularly memorable setting, we could shape a journey around the first sunrise, whether overlooking Mount Fuji, along the coast or from a peaceful mountain retreat.
Food can become another central part of the experience. From discovering the regional differences of ozoni to exploring the preparation of traditional New Year dishes with a specialist, these encounters offer a much deeper understanding of Japanese culture than simply tasting a seasonal menu.
And for families wishing to experience the traditions more intimately, the possibility of spending time in a private setting, sharing a carefully prepared New Year meal and learning about the customs behind it can make the occasion particularly special.
Every family, every group and every traveller approaches the New Year differently. Our role is to understand what matters to them and create the right combination of cultural discovery, local expertise, hospitality and meaningful encounters.
A Different Way to Welcome the Year
From the final bowl of toshikoshi soba to the first prayer at a shrine, Japanese New Year is built around gestures that carry meaning. The food expresses wishes for health and prosperity. The temple bells symbolise leaving the past behind. The first sunrise represents a new beginning. And the return of old omamori offers a moment to reflect on the year that has passed before welcoming new hopes.
For visitors, experiencing these traditions offers something particularly valuable: the opportunity to understand Japan through the customs that matter most to its people.
Whether shared around a family table, experienced in the quiet atmosphere of a historic temple or discovered through the traditions of a particular region, New Year in Japan is an invitation to begin differently.
From first tracks in the winter snow to first prayers at the temple, discover a new side of Japan this winter. Explore our Winter Brochure for inspiration, or contact Luxurique to begin creating a bespoke journey around the traditions, places and experiences you wish to discover.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Discover what winter in Japan could hold for you.
Explore our Winter Brochure for inspiration, or contact Luxurique at hello@luxurique.com to begin shaping a journey around your own interests, curiosities, and the experiences you wish to discover.
-A Different Side of Japan Awaits
Discover our dedicated winter page and explore the many ways to experience Japan throughout the season.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More About Luxurique :
● For Client Inquiries: hello@luxurique.com
● For Media, Press & PR Inquiries: media@luxurique.com
● For Suppliers, Artisans & Municipalities: hello@luxurique.com
● Phone: 03-6422-3770
Head Office – TRI-SEVEN Roppongi7F, 7-7-7 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
Comments