The Japanese New Year (お正月, o-shōgatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Unlike Western New Year celebrations, it is a deeply traditional time centered on family, temples, food, and written wishes. This guide covers all the vocabulary, phrases, traditions, and cultural knowledge you need to talk about Japanese New Year and participate in the celebrations if you are in Japan.
| Term | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year (holiday period) | お正月 | o-shōgatsu | Jan 1–3 core; up to Jan 15 traditionally |
| New Year’s greeting | 新年のご挱振 | shinnen no goaisatsu | formal new year greeting |
| New Year’s card | 年速状 | nengajō | postcards mailed for Jan 1 arrival |
| First shrine visit | 初詳で | hatsumōde | first shrine or temple visit of the year |
| New Year money for children | お市玉 | otoshidama | cash given to children in envelopes |
| Countdown event | 年越し | toshikoshi | year-crossing (events, soba, bell ringing) |
Yukaお正月 is not like New Year in the West. Shops close, families gather, and traditional foods are eaten. The quiet, reflective atmosphere is completely different from a loud countdown party. Understanding this helps you connect with Japanese people’s feelings about the season.
New Year’s Greetings: What to Say and When
Japanese New Year greetings follow strict timing rules. Saying the wrong phrase at the wrong time is a social misstep. Here is exactly what to say and when.
| Japanese | Romaji | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 新年あけましておめでとうございます。 | Shinnen akemashite omedetō gozaimasu. | Jan 1 to ~Jan 7; first greeting of the new year |
| 新年あけましておめでとうございます。本年もどうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | …Honnen mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | The full formal greeting (adds “I look forward to this year too”) |
| あけおめ (あけおめでとう) | akeome (akeome detō) | Casual/text version; between young people only |
| こてよろ (こてよろしく) | koteyo (koteyo shiku) | Casual “nice to meet you this year” text slang |
| 早い年もどうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Hayai toshi mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | In January (referring to this brand new year) |
年速状 (Nengajō): New Year’s Cards
年速状 are special postcards mailed in late December and timed to arrive on January 1st. They are a major tradition — businesses send them to clients, friends send them to each other, and children send them to teachers. A nengajō typically includes the new year greeting, the zodiac animal of the incoming year, and a personal message.
| Common Text on Nengajō | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 新年あけましておめでとうございます。 | Shinnen akemashite omedetō gozaimasu. | Happy New Year |
| 本年もどうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Honnen mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | I look forward to this year with you too. |
| 発展の年になりますように。 | Hattens no toshi ni narimasu yō ni. | May this be a year of growth. |
ReiIf someone died in your family during the previous year, you do NOT send nengajō. Instead, you send a 幹立復拡 (kichikosei) card in November saying you will not be sending new year greetings this year. This is an important cultural rule to know.
初詳で (Hatsumōde): First Shrine Visit
Visiting a shrine or temple in the first three days of January is a nationwide tradition. People pray for health, success, and happiness in the new year. Key vocabulary:
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 申し詳で | mōshitatsu | prayer / wish (formal at shrine) |
| お楽傍み | o-mikuji | fortune slip (drawn randomly) |
| 德大&#��; / 书出し | daikichi / ko-dashi | best fortune / little luck (omikuji results) |
| お守りに | o-mamori | good luck charm / amulet |
| にいにい | niini | ceremonial rope to ring the bell / donation box |
| おんにちは、新年はどうなどきますか。 | Onnichi wa, shinnen wa dō sugoshimashita ka. | Hello, how did you spend New Year? |
Traditional New Year Foods
| Food | Japanese | Romaji | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s cuisine | おせち | osechi | Lacquer-box dishes; each food has a meaning (longevity, prosperity) |
| New Year’s Eve soba | 年越しそば | toshikoshi soba | Long noodles = long life; eaten Dec 31 |
| Rice cake soup | おぞんさい | ozoni | Mochi in broth; eaten Jan 1; recipe varies by region |
| Grilled rice cake | もち | mochi | Round mochi = family unity; displayed in きなのもち (kinamochi) |
Yukaおせち (osechi) boxes traditionally had to last through the holiday period when shops were closed. That is why the foods inside are sweet, salty, or pickled — natural preservatives. Modern osechi is often just for symbolic eating, not survival, but the tradition continues!
Quick Quiz
1. What is はつもうで (hatsumōde)?
→ The first shrine or temple visit of the new year
2. What do you write on a 年速状 (nengajō)?
→ New Year’s greeting, often: 新年あけましておめでとうございます。本年もどうぞよろしくおねがいします。
3. What is eaten on New Year’s Eve and why?
→ 年越しそば (toshikoshi soba) — long noodles symbolize a long life.
4. When should you NOT send a nengajō?
→ When a family member died in the previous year — send a 幹立復拡 (kichikousei) card instead.
Want to talk about Japanese culture with a native speaker? Find a Japanese tutor on italki and discuss New Year traditions.
Have you experienced Japanese New Year? Or is there a tradition that surprised you? Share in the comments — we love hearing cross-cultural perspectives on お正月!
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