Travel Guides
Japan New Year Guide
Oshogatsu · Hatsumode · Toshikoshi Soba · Temple Bells
No holiday in Japan carries more weight than Oshogatsu (お正月) — the Japanese New Year. Unlike the Western celebration focused on parties and fireworks, Japan's New Year is a deeply reflective time of family reunion, ancient traditions, and spiritual renewal. For visitors, it offers an unparalleled glimpse into the soul of Japanese culture: serene shrine visits at dawn, the distant ring of 108 temple bells, and streets transformed by pine-and-bamboo decorations.
New Year Timeline: Day by Day
Preparation
- •Osoji (大掃除) — the year-end deep cleaning of homes
- •Kadomatsu (門松) pine decorations placed at doorways
- •Shimekazari (注連飾り) rope decorations hung at entrances
- •Osechi preparations begin; department stores sell beautifully packaged sets
New Year's Eve (Omisoka)
- •Toshikoshi soba eaten before midnight (longevity noodles)
- •NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (紅白歌合戦) — 4-hour music competition watched by millions
- •Joya no Kane: Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times from 11:30 PM to just after midnight
- •Hatsumode crowds begin lining up at major shrines by 11 PM
New Year's Day (Ganjitsu)
- •Hatsumode — first shrine visit of the year
- •Osechi ryori eaten at home with family
- •Otoshidama (お年玉) — cash gifts in special envelopes given to children
- •Hatsuyume (初夢) — significance given to the first dream of the year
Oshogatsu Continues
- •Hatsumode crowds continue at shrines and temples
- •Imperial Family New Year greeting (Jan 2) at Tokyo Imperial Palace
- •Fukubukuro (福袋) lucky bag sales begin at department stores
- •Kakizome (書き初め) — first calligraphy of the year
Best Shrines for Hatsumode
Meiji Jingu (明治神宮)
📍 Tokyo (Harajuku)
👥 3 million in 3 days
Japan's most visited hatsumode site. Beautiful forested shrine, somber atmosphere. Queues of 2–3 hours on January 1. Arrive after January 3 for a calmer experience.
Naritasan Shinshoji (成田山新勝寺)
📍 Narita (near Tokyo)
👥 3 million in 3 days
Buddhist temple famous for protecting travelers and safe driving. A 40-minute train from Tokyo. The traditional Narita town street (Omotesando) is a wonderful walk.
Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
📍 Kyoto
👥 270,000 in 3 days
The iconic thousand torii gate shrine. Beautiful lanterns are lit overnight. Visit between midnight and 3 AM on January 1 for a magical, slightly quieter experience.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮)
📍 Kamakura
👥 200,000 in 3 days
Grand Shinto shrine in the historic samurai city of Kamakura. Slightly less crowded than Tokyo shrines, beautiful temple approach lined with lotus ponds.
New Year Traditions Explained
Toshikoshi Soba (年越しそば)
Buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year's Eve before midnight. Long noodles = longevity. Served hot in broth with a topping of your choice.
Osechi Ryori (おせち料理)
Traditional New Year's boxes of symbolic foods — black beans (health), rolled egg (wisdom), shrimp (long life), herring roe (fertility).
Otoshidama (お年玉)
Cash gifts in decorative envelopes given by parents and grandparents to children. Department stores sell beautiful otoshidama envelopes as souvenirs.
Fukubukuro (福袋)
Lucky grab bags — sealed bags sold by stores containing mystery products worth 2–5× the purchase price. Lines form outside department stores on January 2.
Nengajo (年賀状)
New Year's postcards mailed in December, traditionally delivered on January 1. A declining but still-practiced tradition.
Kakizome (書き初め)
First calligraphy of the year, usually written on January 2. Schools hold kakizome events where students write auspicious words.
What's Open & Closed During New Year
✅ Open
- •Convenience stores (24/7 always)
- •Major train stations
- •Shrines and temples
- •Department stores (Jan 2 onward)
- •Most tourist attractions
- •Hotel restaurants
❌ Often Closed (Dec 31–Jan 3)
- •Local restaurants (Dec 31–Jan 2)
- •Government offices
- •Banks (except ATMs)
- •Hair salons & barbershops
- •Small local shops
- •Many museums
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oshogatsu in Japan?+
Oshogatsu (お正月) is the Japanese New Year celebration — the most important holiday of the year. It runs from December 31 (New Year's Eve) through January 3 (the traditional end of the holiday period). Families gather, shrines and temples hold special ceremonies, and cities transform with New Year decorations called kadomatsu and shimekazari.
What is Hatsumode?+
Hatsumode (初詣) is the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year — one of Japan's most widely observed traditions. More than 100 million Japanese people visit a shrine or temple during the first three days of January. Popular spots include Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple near Tokyo, and Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. Visitors pray for health, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead.
What is toshikoshi soba?+
Toshikoshi soba (年越しそば, "year-crossing soba") is a tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve. The long, thin noodles symbolize longevity and the severing of hardships from the old year. It is eaten before midnight on December 31, often at home or at a casual restaurant.
What is Joya no Kane?+
Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘) is the ringing of temple bells 108 times at midnight on New Year's Eve. The 108 rings represent the 108 earthly desires (bonno) in Buddhist tradition, each ring purging one. Many temples allow visitors to take a turn ringing the bell. NHK broadcasts it live every year at midnight.
What is Osechi Ryori?+
Osechi ryori (おせち料理) is the traditional New Year's feast eaten over January 1–3. It consists of colorful dishes packed in lacquered boxes (jubako), each carrying symbolic meaning: kuromame (black beans) for health, kazunoko (herring roe) for fertility, datemaki (sweet rolled omelette) for wisdom, and tai (sea bream) for celebration. Many restaurants and convenience stores sell osechi sets in advance.
Is it a good time to visit Japan for New Year?+
New Year is one of the most uniquely Japanese experiences possible. Shrines are exceptionally atmospheric, cities are decorated beautifully, and the festive energy is unlike any other time of year. However, it is very crowded at shrines (Meiji Jingu receives 3 million visitors in 3 days), many restaurants close December 31–January 2, and hotels book up months in advance.
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