Japanese New Year
Japanese New Year is one of the Best Japanese celebrations.
Visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine at Midnight with the locals is a spiritual experience.
Or if spirituality isn't your thing, it's a lifetime memory.
It really is a great time to visit Tokyo. New Year in Tokyo is one of the Best Traditional Japanese Festivals.
The Japanese New Year is called Oshogatsu.
On New Year's Eve locals visit Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo after midnight. If the weather is good, people will wear their traditional kimono, which makes it a good photo opportunity.
Prepare for a very crowded evening though. Tokyo Meiji Shrine attracts several million people(!!!) during the three days of this major Japanese holiday.
The Japanese people pray for a prosperous and healthy new year.
The temples ring their bells 108 times in memory of Japan's hard times.
If you plan to visit Tokyo at this time of the year don't forget that most businesses (museums, shops) are closed between January 1st to January 3rd.
Japanese New Year Unique Customs
A popular tradition here is sending New Year's cards.
The Japanese post office guarantees to deliver the greeting postcards in time if they are posted from mid-December and are marked with the word Nengajo (the name of this custom).
According to the Japanese tradition the years are viewed as completely separate, with each New Year providing a fresh start.
Everything associated with the New Year is symbolic of 'firsts'.
Everyone is expected to complete their duties before the end of the year, and 'year forgetting parties' – Bonenkai - are held in order to leave behind the old year's troubles.
Isn't that a sweet idea?
January 1st is believed to represent the whole year that has just begun. That's why the Japanese try to make this day just perfect.
It's considered lucky to start the year by watching the first sunrise.
So, people often drive to the coast or climb a mountain before sunrise on January 1st.
And there's the food of course. You have to try the Special
New Year Food.
Otoshidama means 'new year treasure', and it's a beautiful custom of giving money to children on New Year's Day.
There are also special games to play on New Year. A popular game is Furuwarai which is like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, Hanetsuki - Japanese badminton, Takoage - kite flying, and Karuta - a card game.
You'll see special symbols decorating the Japanese houses, cranes and turtles, that bring good luck - longevity and happiness.
Check out the page on
Christmas in Japan
to learn about the unique Japanese traditions in Christmas, which is more like Valentines day here!
Search TokyoTopGuide.com
Christmas Decorations in Japan
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