How to Celebrate New Year's in Japan

The New Year, or shogatu, is the most important holiday in Japan. Honor this holiday by celebrating three days in full Japanese tradition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Kimonos
• Boxes
• Cleaning Supplies
• Boxed Lunches
• Year Crossing Noodles
• Envelopes
• Poles

1. Clean your house from top to bottom, since this is a time of new beginnings and peace. Begin these preparations several weeks in advance.
2. Begin your celebration on January 1 and continue it until January 3. Invite relatives to your house to join you on these special days.
3. Cook enough food in advance for the three-day celebration so you won't have to cook during the holiday.
4. Ring a bell on New Year's Eve to usher out the old year. Eat toshikoshi soba, or year crossing noodles, in the hopes that your family will extend as long as the noodles.
5. Hang a Japanese flag from a pole in front of your home. Cover the base with pine needles and bamboo.
6. Decorate a thick straw rope, called shimenawa, with white paper strips and place it at the entrance to your house in honor of the new year ahead. This will keep evil spirits at bay.
7. Set up a special altar with kagamimochi (flat, round rice cakes), sake (rice wine) and other specialties.
8. Give your children New Year's gifts, called otoshidama, which consist of money placed in envelopes.
9. Don traditional kimonos and visit temples or shrines near your home; pray for good health and fortune for the coming year.
10. Exchange New Year's cards with family and friends.

Tips & Warnings

• In Japan, New Year's may be referred to as sangamichaia, which means three happy days.
• The holiday may also sometimes be called oshogatsu, which means big New Year.