Oshogatsu or Shogatsu is the Japanese New Year, one of Japan's most important yearly festivals, celebrated on January 1st. Almost all the Japanese people participate in this unique event every year and enjoy the beautiful things it offers. Moreover, the traditions involved in this celebration are exciting, and the festival holds several historical facts and cultural impacts related to the country.

Additionally, people indulge in uniquely delicious food served in Japan on New Year. Not only do the Japanese enjoy the new year celebrations, but also people come from the whole world to attend the unique festival held in Japan. Furthermore, the country is known as being the land of the rising sun, and this is why visitors will enjoy watching the sunrise in the very early morning on January 1st.

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This Is When To Celebrate The Japanese New Year

In China, Vietnam, and South Korea, people celebrate the new year in February, while in Japan, they do it on January 1st. Moreover, most businesses close from December 30th to January 3rd. Additionally, Japanese families gather to celebrate the holidays together. Until 1873, the Japanese new year was observed based on the Chinese Lunar calendar. However, Japan started celebrating the new year in January after five years of the Meiji Restoration. People who study and work in Japan's big cities leave to their home towns on December 30th to celebrate with their families and friends.

Furthermore, Japanese schools close two days before and after the new year during the winter holiday. December 31st is mainly a memorable day for Japanese people. This is when they will hold parties outside, celebrate the New Year countdown, go for a night concert, have a group outdoor night picnic party together, and more. Going out with friends and seeing fireworks are some of the most amazing things to do in Japan during the new year.

  • Food: One of the old customs that people in Japan follow on New Year's Eve includes eating toshikoshi soba, or buckwheat noodles, which originated during the Edo period, between 1603 and 1868. Japanese people usually eat the Toshikoshi Soba for dinner or an evening snack. Good fortune and longevity are what the Soba noodles symbolize in Japan. However, people must ensure not to eat this dish after midnight because it brings bad luck, as per Japanese customs.

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Those Traditional Events Take Place During The Japanese New Year

Japanese people participate in several traditional events and customs during the country's new year's celebrations. For instance, they visit the shrine and temple on December 31, around midnight. This is when the bells of every temple are rung 108 times in Japan to chase away the 108 worldly desires causing suffering to the human race. Visitors to some temples can have the chance to ring the bells by themselves. Watching Kohaku Uta Gassen is a new custom tradition that people take part in, in Japan on New Year's Eve. This is a prevalent modern custom in the country.

For instance, people can be amused by attending Enka and J-Pop singers' performances. This is a holiday particular TV program held annually and produced by NHK. During the event, famous music artists split into two teams and compete against each other, where the audience and judges decide who wins by voting. Another thing worth enjoying during the Japanese New Year is attending the Hatsuhinode, the new year's first sunrise. It is considered to be a special day in Japan. This is where people can view and stare at the first sunrise of the country's first day of the year.

Some people visit the beaches to view the Hatsuhinode, while others head to the mountaintops to pray to the first sunrise.

  • Recommended: To enjoy the most breathtaking views of the first sunrise in Japan on New Year's Day, people are advised to visit Mount Takao in Tokyo. Another iconic place for viewing the sunrise is the famous Mount Fuji. However, people won't see this location since the extreme weather conditions won't allow it to happen.

Another traditional custom that people take part in during the Japanese New Year includes the Hatsumode, which consists of visiting and praying at the temples and shrines of the country.

This Is What To Eat And How To Decorate The Home And Streets During The Japanese New Year

People in Japan love to indulge in various delicious dishes, particularly on New Year's Eve. One example is the Osechi Ryori, a special meal prepared before the end of the year and eaten on New Year's Eve. Preserved in layers of lacquered boxes, known as Jubako, delicious seafood, boiled beans, sliced vegetables, and more are eaten during Japan's New Year's Eve. Moreover, the dishes are preserved in boxes to serve them without hassle. Even every type of food has a meaning in Japan, symbolizing abundant harvest, wealth, long life, happiness, good health, fertility, longevity, and more.

  • Recommended: An alcoholic drink, the Otoso, is best served with Osechi. This drink is produced from Japanese rice wine and is a kind of herbal medicine.

People in Japan enjoy decorating their homes and streets for New Year with unique traditional decor ideas, such as ornaments made of bamboo, plum trees, and pine. Moreover, the entrances of many buildings, stores, and houses are decorated with Kadomatsu, a symbol of longevity.

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