Celebrating Japanese New Year - Shōgatsu 🎊

Japanese New Year, Shōgatsu, is the most important holiday in Japan!
Most businesses shut down from Jan 1 to Jan 3, and families generally gather to spend the days together. On the eve of the new year, temple bells ring 108 times (8 times to ring out the old year and 100 times to usher in the new year). Also on New Year’s eve, toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), symbolizing longevity, are served.

People traditionally wake up early on New Year’s Day to view the first sunrise of the year (hatsuhinode) and visit their local temple or shrine (hatsumōde) to ask that the new year be filled with prosperity and good health. January 1 is traditionally believed to be representative for the whole year that has just commenced; therefore, the day is supposed to be full of joy and free of stress and anger, while everything should be clean and no work should be done. Small monetary gifts (otoshidama) are given to young children, and New Year’s cards (nengajō) are delivered, opened, and read.

Food plays an important part in celebrating Shōgatsu - Cakes of pounded rice (mochi) are served in a traditional stew called zōni. Special dishes called osechi ryōri are eaten over the first three days of Shōgatsu. Each dish is served in a lacquered box, and the foods represent good wishes for the coming year.

Making Mochi

Thank you to Mika Kurita and Erin Hope for sharing!