Introducing how to spend the New Year holidays in Japan

Introducing how to spend the New Year in Japanライフ

Hello my name is 「Asobi」 (‘ω `)

This time, I will change my mind and write content for foreigners.

I was born and raised in Japan, so I’m not good at English, so I’m sorry if it becomes a strange expression

By the way, how did you spend the New Year?

I think that many people did not go out much this year due to the spread of new infectious diseases.

But when it comes to Japanese New Year, it’s the first time to visit (* ´ ▽ ` *)

Today, I would like to introduce how to spend the New Year in Japan.

スポンサーリンク

New Year’s card

年賀状

In Japan, it is customary to send postcards and cards to the people who took care of them that year with the meaning of New Year’s celebrations and greetings.

It is called “年賀状(Nengajou)” in Japanese.

Write illustrations and greetings on the postcard, and send the message “Thank you again this year” to the person who sent it, with the wish of happiness and good health for the new year.

In foreign countries, you often send messages with Christmas cards (* ^ ▽ ^ *)

It’s similar to that.

New year greetings

In Japan, as a greeting for the celebration of the New Year, we say “あけましておめでとうございます(Akemashite Omedetougozaimasu).”

It ’s “Happy new year” in English.

First visit

This is “川崎大師(Kawasaki Daishi)”

In Japan, it is customary to visit a shrine after the new year. It is called “初詣(Hatsumoude)”.

In “Hatsumoude”,we would like to express our gratitude for the last year and pray for the safety and health of the new year.

手水舎
Wash your hands before worshiping.This is called “手水舎(Temizuya)”

It’s fun to visit with family and friends as there are stalls like at festivals (* ´ω `)

By the way, at shrines and temples, if you pay about 300 to 500 yen, you will get something called “御朱印(Goshuin)”.

御朱印
“御朱印(Goshuin)” has various designs depending on the shrine.

You can get this at any time of the year, not just during the first visit to the shrine, so why not visit a shrine when you come to Japan?

I also collect. I think it will be a good collection.

First sale, lucky bag

福袋

The first sale after the year changes is called “初売り(Hatuuri)”. Items are sold at a lower price than usual.

There are many sales in the form of “lucky bags” in the sense of trying your luck for a year.Called “福袋(Fukubukuro)” in Japanese

“Fukubukuro” is sold as a set of various products.

There are some that you do not know the contents of, and in recent years, the contents of the product are displayed.

There are a wide variety of products, and we sell daily necessities, home appliances, games, clothing, groceries, and in recent years, service rights that do not fit in bags such as travel, cars, and real estate as “Fukubukuro.”

It’s exciting to open a “lucky bag” that you don’t know what’s inside (´ω ` *)

It’s fun to ask, “What’s in it?”

That’s why I just buy it.

New Year dishes

おせち料理

Speaking of food to eat on New Year’s Day in Japan, it is “御節(Osechi)”.

Originally, it has the meaning of “an offering to God.”

The standard contents are omelet, kamaboko and other pastes, simmered dishes, tsukudani, and fish dishes.

Food is often prepared in boxes called “重箱(Jūbako)”.

Many dishes are cooked, dried, or seasoned as a preparation, and are often made to last for a long time.

However, recently, the technology for preserving ingredients has improved, so there are many raw foods such as sashimi and sushi, Chinese food, and Western-style osechi, and there are many variations.

Each of the ingredients in “Osechi” has a meaning,

“Kuromame”: No illness so that you can work diligently
“Kazunoko”: Five-grain fertility and prosperity of descendants

There is a meaning such as.

If you are interested in the origin of the meaning, it will be interesting to check it out.

Please come to Japan

東京タワーと神社
Shrine and Tokyo Tower

How was it?

On New Year’s Day in Japan, I often spend time with my family at home, but there are also events that I can enjoy with my friends, such as the first visit and the first sale.

If you have the chance, why not spend the New Year’s Eve in Japan and experience the New Year?

I think you can enjoy Japanese customs to the fullest (* ^-^ *)

If I have a chance, I would like to write an introduction to Japan in English.

I’m sorry my English is too bad …

Then, Asobi sent you (* ´ ▽ ` *) ノSee you

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