New Year’s celebrations in Japan have been carried out for over 1,000 years. The New Year’s celebration has traditionally been a time to reflect on the year past and look forward to the new year. Food is the most important aspect of any celebration, so many special dishes are made for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Osechi Ryōri (お節料理)
Osechi ryori is a special traditional Japanese food eaten at New Year’s or other festive occasions. It consists of a wide variety of carefully selected dishes based on the season and region where you live to bring good luck for the upcoming year. Osechi ryori originated from humble beginnings when people were forced to eat gruel during famine or poverty. However, with time it became a tradition passed down from generation to generation as an offering of gratitude for a prosperous new year ahead.
The First Sunrise Of The Year
In Japan, the first sunrise of the year is considered a momentous occasion. Japanese people spend this day cleaning their homes and praying for good fortune in the coming year. Many people go to shrines and temples to pray for good health and happiness.
Hatsumōde
On January 1st, many Japanese people visit shrines or temples to pray for good luck and fortune. This tradition is called hatsumōde (初詣). People usually visit two or three shrines throughout the day, starting early in the morning. They buy special New Year’s food, such as mochi (餅) or senbei (煎餅), offered at shrines as a form of thanksgiving for good health.
Oshōgatsu Zakka
Oshōgatsu zakka (oshōgatsu-themed decorations) is a symbolic way to celebrate the New Year. The word oshōgatsu means “first month,” so oshōgatsu zakka is anything that can be used to decorate the home for the New Year, but especially items that symbolize longevity, like pine needles or bamboo shoots.
Nengajō
A nengajō is a sheet of paper on which people write their wishes for the new year and hang it on a door or wall. This tradition originates from China, originally practiced by Buddhists who would write their wishes on pieces of paper and put them in front of their altars. The practice spread throughout East Asia, eventually becoming popular in Japan. One of the most common types of nengajō is gohan no nengajō (“rice bowl wish paper”), which has an image of a bowl of rice at the top and contains a wish written by hand below it.
Daruma-san Ga Koronda
Daruma-san ga Koronda (Daruma Falls Over) is a traditional Japanese custom to wish good luck and success in the New Year. The Daruma doll is often found in the homes of many Japanese people. The doll has no arms or legs, and its eyes are always closed. It is believed that if you make a wish, paint one eye of the Daruma doll and put it somewhere visible. Your wish will come true within the year. If not, both eyes will be painted by the end of the year.
Toshikoshi Soba
Toshikoshi Soba (literally “year-crossing soba”) is eaten on New Year’s Eve for good luck in the coming year. It consists of buckwheat noodles topped with tempura or kamaboko (fish cake) and served with a special sauce made from dashi broth and mirin (sweet rice wine). There are many other variations with different toppings, like boiled eggs or veggies, but it’s all about eating long noodles on New Year’s Eve!
Conclusion
If you plan on going to Japan during New Year and don’t know how to celebrate, this article will be helpful. It teaches you about the customs that the Japanese have associated with it. If you want to make an impression among the Japanese, this will help you do so.