Japanese New Year or Shōgatsu is not a loud, messy, or a party, driven type of celebration like most of the world. But then what does it look like? It is a calming, purposeful, and very symbolic kind of celebration that revolves around purification, thankfulness, and getting a fresh start.
Japan’s New Year, or Shōgatsu, is the country’s most important holiday, marked by shrine visits, purification rituals, family gatherings, traditional foods, and magnificent sunrise, with major celebrations centered in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and sacred temple towns.
The noise is replaced by silence, the kind that stops even the voices in your head. Ceremonies, rituals, customs, religion and a blanket of joyfulness wraps the entire country. For every traveler, this place seems no less like a silent retreat they have been wanting for a very long time.
Is Shōgatsu different from how New Year is celebrated globally?
Mostly, yes. Japan, unlike many East Asian countries, celebrates New Year on January 1st in lines with the Gregorian calendar. But, the manner in which it is celebrated is very different from the Western countries.
Shōgatsu is not like a party with a countdown to midnight and fireworks, rather, it is a time for spiritual and social preparation for a new beginning until January 3rd. During these days, shops and offices are closed, families get together, and the cities go on with a slower pace.
These few days, you get to experience renewal through deep thought rather than through overindulgence. Shōgatsu is about starting to get rid of the past year and making room for lucky, healthy, and harmonious times to come.
Securing Japanese Yen before your trip or buying our multicurrency zero markup forex card ensures you can respectfully participate in customs and local purchases, even while many businesses are closed during the holiday.
Tokyo and Tradition with a hint of Modernity
During the New Year, Tokyo presents a sharp contrast between its modern structures and the ancient customs. While the entertainment and nightlife shuts down, temples and shrines turn into the city’s main attractions.
Meiji Jingu, situated near Harajuku, is among the most popular places to spend New Year in Japan and it receives a huge number of visitors on the very first shrine visit of the year, which is called Hatsumōde. No doubt, it promises a spiritual experience amidst so many people.
The act of purification, silent prayer, and giving money makes the visitors feel a deep connection with the ancient customs even though they are in one of the most technological advanced cities in the world. Isn’t this the perfect blend?
Hatsumōde or the First Shrine Visit of the Year
Hatsumōde is the most important New Year activity in Japan. People visit shrines or temples to pray for good fortune, health, and success in the coming year. This ritual is performed calmly, with gestures of respect replacing verbal expression.
The experience is kept slow and unhurried intentionally. One is supposed to clean their hands first, then offer prayers, buy omamori (protective charms) or omikuji (fortune slips). This is one of those times when people decide to live their life to the fullest, being conscious of each moment.
Emperor’s New Year Greeting
On January 2nd, the Emperor make several public visits at the Tokyo Imperial Palace. During the year, these are the only two times that the inner grounds of the palace are accessible to the public (the other being the Emperor’s birthday on February 23).
The Emperor and his family will be on a glass, protected balcony five times: at 10:10, 11:00, 11:50, 13:30 and 14:20, waving and shortly speaking to the flag-waving crowd.
Rise and Renew under the Sunrise
Viewing the first sunrise of the year, called Hatsuhinode, is also one of the important Shōgatsu customs. Many people go to the seaside, mountains and observation decks to see the sunrise which is a sign of new life and hope.
Among places for the most part are observation towers in Tokyo, Mount Takao, and beach areas all over Japan.
The calmness and waiting together for the first sun of the year is very different from the noise of the fireworks that you find during the new year countdowns in other places, and it is one of the ways by which Japan is very thoughtful about new beginnings.
Food and Family
Food during the New Year in Japan has more depth than we normally can assume. The Osechi ryōri is prepared in advance so that the families can be free and rest during the holidays.
Every food item has its own meaning, sweet black beans stand for good health, fish roe is a sign of fertility, and rolled omelets are a symbol of learning and progress.
The time spent with family during Shōgatsu focuses on being thankful to the old people and the passing of the heritage to the next generations. The New Year is considered a rejuvenation of the whole community, not a celebration of each individual.
Kyoto or the Spiritual and Cultural Heart of Japan
Being the old imperial capital of Japan, the city houses thousands of temples and shrines, and a lot of them are the places where the New Year rituals are conducted.
Places like Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Yasaka Shrine welcomes people who want to experience a traditional atmosphere which is calm and not so crowded.
New Year in Kyoto is very much a feast for the eyes but at the same time it is quite a modest celebration. On New Years Eve during Joya no Kane, it is an established tradition that the bells of temples are rung 108 times, this number representing the purification of human desires.
As many local shops and traditional establishments prefer cash, calculating your currency exchange needs in advance through our JPY to INR converter ensures a seamless experience.
Osaka with its Shining Warmth
Osaka’s New Year festivities are more collective and relaxed in nature. It emphasizes love, shared meals, and togetherness instead of a ritual for tourists.
Osaka is a window into the life of typical Japanese families during the New Year holiday. Food is the main focus, with families making osechi ryōri which is a set of traditional New Year dishes, where each carries a symbolic meaning for prosperity, health, and longevity.
A little for the Party Lovers
Shinjuku and Roppongi in Tokyo are ever ready to bring the wild nightlife for New Year’s Eve to you. A heaven for club goers with roof parties, themes, events, and all night DJ sessions. An epic night with unlimited drink packages, international DJs, and an iconic crowd.
Shibuya Crossing goes beyond this by changing itself into a giant open air countdown zone with digital screens, neon lights, and thousands of party lovers. It’s Tokyo’s largest street party, and you will surely not want to miss it.
These places are some really cool spots for groups, friends, or solo travelers who are up for dancing till the morning!
Japan during Shōgatsu is a matter of careful consideration. It is a fact that numerous stores, eateries, and entertainment places shut down for a few days, but transports keep on working though they are crowded because of local traveling.
If you choose temples, shrines, and nature as your destinations you will have a great experience in Japan instead of feeling restricted.
But one thing might make you feel restricted and that is if you do not have your forex on time. Don’t worry, BookMyForex got you, let it handle your forex, before you leave because you are going to Japan to find peace and this delay would definitely stop you from finding calmness.
About the Author
Bhawna Nijhawan is the Content Manager at BookMyForex and the go-to person for creating engaging, informative content that resonates with the platform’s diverse audience. With over 8 years of experience in content writing and more than 4 years in the forex industry, she knows exactly how to simplify complex forex topics into something everyone can relate to.
