Introduction
Immerse yourself in the vibrant and culturally rich celebration of the Japanese New Year, known as "Oshogatsu". For visitors during this festive season, embracing these cherished traditions offers a profound insight into Japan's heritage. Here are five essential activities to enrich your experience during the Japanese New Year.
1. Hatsumode: The Sacred First Shrine Visit
"Hatsumode" is an important traditional event in Japan to celebrate the New Year. It is a culture of visiting shrines and temples to pray for blessings and good fortune for the coming year.
The atmosphere at prominent shrines and temples is lively and festive, with stalls selling traditional sweets.
In Japan, the colors red and white are considered festive and are used for celebrations.
The symbolic torii gates and shrine pavilions at the entrances to shrines are often decorated in bright red, which fits well with the image of the New Year.
Japanese people have a special feeling for this festive event, and many people visit shrines late at night or early in the morning when it is cold. Many people visit with family and friends wearing kimonos.
While enjoying the festive and joyful atmosphere of the event, visitors can start the New Year with a refreshed feeling by calming their minds by praying to the ancient Japanese gods.
The procedure for praying at a shrine is as follows
- Purify your hands: Wash your hands at the entrance or at the chozuya (water closet). Fill a ladle with water, catch the water with your right hand, take the water with your left hand, and rinse your mouth to purify your hands. Finally, the ladle is held up and the water is poured out.
- Throwing money: After depositing your money at the shrine office, proceed to the hall of worship, clasp your hands together, and place your money in the box. After bowing, join hands in prayer.
- Ring the bell: After praying, you can ring the bell in the hall of worship. This is to attract God's attention, and the bell should be rung quietly, not loudly.
- Praying: Standing in front of the shrine, first bow and then put your hands together to calm your mind before praying. Offer your petitions and thanks. When you have finished praying, bow again and leave the shrine.
These are general procedures and may vary from shrine to shrine and region to region. It is recommended that you check the different ways of praying at each shrine beforehand, but you do not need to be so careful. Calm your mind and prepare your heart by visiting a shrine and communing with the gods of Japan.
Locals also welcome many people from far and wide, including foreigners, to participate in this cultural ritual.
If you are visiting Japan during the New Year's season, why not go on a "Hatsumode"?
2. Indulge in Osechi Ryori: A Celebration of Tradition
Osechi ryori is a special dish to celebrate the Japanese New Year. It is usually enjoyed at home during the New Year with family and close friends. Known for its beauty and flavor, osechi-ryori is made up of a variety of dishes, which are packed in stacked boxes called jubako.
In a typical osechi ryori, several to several dozen different dishes are served. Some of the traditional dishes are;
- Kazunoko (herring roe): salted herring roe, symbolizing abundance and prosperity in the new year.
- Kuromame (black beans): Sweetened black beans are believed to bring good health and fortune.
- Tazukuri: Rice shaped like a rice paddy and topped with a variety of ingredients, symbolizing a good harvest and abundance.
- Kombumaki (kelp roll): A roll stuffed with fish and vegetables rolled in kombu (kelp), it is meant to pray for the bounty of the sea and longevity.
In addition to the symbolic meaning of each dish and its visual beauty, holiday foods are characterized by the use of seasonal ingredients and elaborate cooking methods. The arrangement and coloring of the dishes in the stacked boxes also have meaning, and each family has its own ingenuity and traditions to pass on to the next generation.
Osechi ryori is an opportunity to share a special moment with family and loved ones to celebrate the New Year, and is a valuable part of Japanese food culture that allows us to experience the richness and traditions of Japanese culture.
3. Experience Otoshidama: Gifting Joy to Children
Otoshidama is a New Year's gift given to children on New Year's Day in Japan. It is usually given as a New Year's gift from an adult to a child. The New Year's gift is generally given in a special envelope filled with bills, and the amount of the New Year's gift varies depending on the person or family giving it.
This custom is given with the hope that it will bring good luck and good events to the children during the New Year. The recipients show their gratitude and may also express their appreciation to the adults.
New Year's gifts are an opportunity for children to learn about money management and the importance of saving, while having fun at the same time. Many children save their New Year's gifts or use them to buy things of their choice.
This gift has different traditions and rules for each family, but generally comes from elders and relatives. As part of Japanese culture, the New Year's gift is given to children during the New Year to wish them happiness, and is an important custom that strengthens family ties.
4. Embrace Tradition: Celebrating the New Year with Classic Japanese Games
Many traditional Japanese games are enjoyed during the New Year. Here are some of the most representative ones.
- Koma:
Koma is a small wooden or bamboo spool of string that is spun by pulling a thin string. It is enjoyed with family and friends during the New Year's holiday, when people compete to see who can spin it the longest and enjoy the unique sound that the tips make as they spin. It takes skill to be able to spin the koma well, and children are guaranteed to practice enthusiastically.
- Kite flying:
Kite flying is a traditional game in which children fly kites made of paper and bamboo kites into the sky with family and friends. It is held in parks or large open spaces on a sunny day during the New Year, and is a fun way to watch the kite soar in the wind. Depending on the region, large kites of several to tens of meters are flown. Festivals with giant kites as the stage are held all over Japan. The most famous festivals are the "Kite City Big Kite Festival" in Shizuoka Prefecture and the "Konosu Kite Festival" in Saitama Prefecture. At these festivals, giant kites soar into the sky, dazzling spectators with their variety of designs and colors. The kites range from traditional to modern designs, and their size and beauty are breathtaking.
- Kendama:
Kendama is a traditional Japanese toy consisting of a wooden stick connected to a ball. The balls are placed on a plate and balanced on it. Balancing may be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will gradually develop your skills. The most attractive point is that you do not need a special place or equipment to enjoy Kendama. You can easily enjoy kendama at home, in the park, or anywhere else. Above all, it is a game that is full of fun and joy, where you can learn new skills and experience your own growth through kendama.
These are enjoyed in the special atmosphere of the New Year and are an important game and culture for passing on Japanese traditions to the next generation.
5. Witness Hatsuhinode: Welcoming the First Sunrise
The first sunrise is a special moment to celebrate the beginning of a new year. Witnessing the moment when the sun rises above the horizon gives people a sense of renewed hope and vitality.
Witnessing this moment is believed to symbolize good fortune and happiness. For this reason, many people get up early in the morning and go to a special place to greet the first sunrise of the year. Watching the first sunrise is an opportunity to experience the beauty and elegance of nature. As the sun rises above the horizon, each moment is like a beautiful painting, and the sight is deeply moving to people.
To enjoy a beautiful first sunrise of the year, one must have good weather conditions, so one must have luck on one’s side. Those who are blessed with this good fortune will have a good opportunity to set goals and wishes for the New Year and gain energy to move forward toward their personal growth and goals while breathing in the fresh morning air.
Many people climb mountains at the New Year’s Eve in order to see the spectacular first sunrise of the year. Those who take on this challenge should gather information well in advance and prepare for injuries and accidents.
Conclusion
The Japanese New Year celebration is an exquisite tapestry of tradition, spirituality, and joy. Participating in these activities offers visitors an immersive journey into the heart of Oshogatsu, fostering unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for Japan's cultural heritage.