Introduction: Sharing My Real Japanese Experience
Hello, I’m Risako! In this article, I’ll share how I spent the New Year holidays in Japan. Through my personal experience, I’ll give you a glimpse into how Japanese people typically celebrate this special time of year. For a more comprehensive guide on New Year traditions, check out New Year in Japan: A Complete Guide for Visitors, An Overview of New Year in Japan, or How Japan Celebrates New Year’s Eve. Let’s dive into this festive season together!
December: Shiwasu, the Month of Year-End Rushing
Bonenkai: Year-End Parties with Friends
In Japan, December is called 師走 (SHIWASU), meaning "the month when even monks run," reflecting the busy year-end atmosphere. A highlight of this season is the 忘年会 (BONENKAI), or year-end party, where friends and coworkers gather to reflect on the past year.
My Oden Party and Karaoke Night
This year, I joined my university friends for an おでんパーティー (ODEN PARTY), followed by karaoke. My favourite was 出汁割り (DASHIWARI), a warm drink made with oden broth and sake, perfect for winter. Bonenkai season makes reservations tough, as izakayas are fully booked on weekends, and karaoke rooms charge holiday rates. To avoid issues, we booked everything in early November.


師走 (SHIWASU): December, is a month of year-end busyness.
忘年会 (BONENKAI): Year-end parties to celebrate with friends or colleagues.
おでん (ODEN): A traditional Japanese dish simmered in broth.
出汁割り (DASHIWARI): A drink combining oden broth and sake, offering a warm, savoury taste.
Year-End: Shigoto-Osame, Mochitsuki, and Kisei Rush
The Last Workday of the Year
In Japan, 仕事納め (SHIGOTO-OSAME), the last workday of the year, usually falls on December 28th. Last year, as the 28th was a Saturday, mine was on December 27th.
Family Mochitsuki Tradition
On December 28th, my family gathered for 餅つき (MOCHITSUKI), or rice cake making. We used a machine instead of the traditional mallet and mortar, making the process easier. Most families today buy pre-made mochi from supermarkets, but as a rice-farming family, we’ve kept this tradition alive.

Kisei Rush: Traveling Back Home
Many people also experience 帰省ラッシュ (KISEI RUSH), or the homecoming rush, as they return to their hometowns for the holidays. Trains and highways are packed, and tickets for the Shinkansen (bullet train) are often sold out. It’s a hectic but exciting time!
仕事納め (SHIGOTO-OSAME): The last workday of the year.
餅つき (MOCHITSUKI): Traditional rice cake making, often done with a wooden mallet and mortar.
帰省ラッシュ (KISEI RUSH): The homecoming rush when families travel back to their hometowns.
New Year’s Eve: Family Traditions and Toshikoshi Soba
Osoji: Deep Cleaning Before the New Year
In Japan, December 31st is called 大晦日 (OMISOKA), the last day of the year, and it’s filled with traditions to prepare for the New Year. Many families do 大掃除 (OSOJI), or deep cleaning, to welcome the year fresh. My family typically does it from December 28th to 31st. It’s a lot of work, but finishing feels satisfying.
Evening Festivities and Toshikoshi Soba
In the evening, we prepare special foods like sea urchins and crab and gather to watch 紅白歌合戦 (KOHAKU UTA GASSEN), a popular year-end music show. As midnight approaches, we eat 年越しそば (TOSHIKOSHI SOBA), or “year-crossing noodles,” to wish for health and longevity in the coming year. My sisters and I also have a quirky tradition—we jump at the stroke of midnight to “leap” into the new year!



大晦日 (OMISOKA): New Year’s Eve, the final day of the year.
大掃除 (OSOJI): Deep cleaning is traditionally done at the end of the year to prepare for the New Year.
紅白歌合戦 (KOHAKU UTA GASSEN): A year-end music show where artists compete in two teams.年越しそば (TOSHIKOSHI SOBA): A dish eaten on New Year’s Eve to symbolise longevity and leaving behind bad luck.
New Year’s Day: Osechi, Ozoni, and Hatsumode
A Festive Breakfast Under the Kotatsu
New Year’s Day begins with a special breakfast of おせち料理 (OSECHI RYORI), お雑煮 (OZONI), and お刺身 (OSASHIMI), enjoyed with 日本酒 (NIHONSHU) under the kotatsu. This traditional meal sets the tone for the New Year.
While I enjoy some osechi dishes, it’s not my overall favourite—a sentiment many younger Japanese people share. My favourites include なます (NAMASU), a pickled daikon and carrot dish, and a unique family creation: kamaboko (fish cake) stuffed with shiso and salmon roe.

Family Differences in Ozoni and Osechi
Every family has its own take on ozoni and osechi. On January 1st, I enjoy my family’s ozoni, while January 2nd brings a different version at my father’s family home. These subtle differences are something I look forward to every year.
Hatsumode: The First Shrine Visit of the Year
In the afternoon, we visit a local shrine for 初詣 (HATSUMODE), the first shrine visit of the year. Shrine paths are lined with 屋台 (YATAI), or food stalls, offering treats like 甘酒 (AMAZAKE) and takoyaki. The festive atmosphere and delicious snacks make this visit one of my favourite New Year traditions.
One of the highlights of my Hatsumode visit is drawing an おみくじ (OMIKUJI), or fortune slip. This year, I got a “吉” (KICHI), meaning “good fortune.” If you’d like to learn more about the traditions of Hatsumode and Omikuji, check out this article for a deeper dive!



おせち料理 (OSECHI RYORI): Traditional New Year’s food, prepared in advance and beautifully arranged.
お雑煮 (OZONI): A soup containing mochi, often made differently in each region.
お刺身 (OSASHIMI): Freshly sliced raw fish.
日本酒 (NIHONSHU): Japanese sake.
なます (NAMASU): A pickled dish made with daikon radish and carrots.
初詣 (HATSUMODE): The first shrine visit of the year to pray for good fortune.
屋台 (YATAI): Food stalls set up at events or festivals.
甘酒 (AMAZAKE): A sweet, warm rice-based drink, often sold at shrines.
おみくじ (OMIKUJI): A fortune slip drawn at shrines to predict your luck for the year.
Recent Trends: Travel and Shogatsu-Butori
Travel and Parties During the New Year Holidays
In recent years, more people have started using the New Year holiday for travel, whether domestically or internationally. At the same time, many younger people prefer to host or attend New Year parties with friends rather than stick to family traditions.

Shogatsu-Butori: The Struggle Is Real
Of course, these gatherings—along with traditional New Year feasts—often lead to 正月太り (SHOGATSU-BUTORI), or “New Year weight gain.” With so much delicious food and lounging around, it’s almost unavoidable. This year, I personally gained 3kg over the holidays! It’s almost unavoidable, and like many others, I always promise myself to start eating healthier once January 4th arrives!

正月太り (SHOGATSU-BUTORI): Gaining weight during the New Year holidays due to overeating and drinking.
Wrapping Up: A Taste of Real Japan
I hope this article gives you a glimpse into the unique ways we celebrate the New Year in Japan. From 忘年会 (BONENKAI) to 初詣 (HATSUMODE), every aspect reflects a mix of tradition and personal touches. How do you celebrate the New Year in your country? Are there any traditions similar to those in Japan? I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’d like to learn more about Japanese culture or improve your Japanese skills, our lessons offer a fun and immersive experience. Check out our programs and start your journey today!
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