Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
Most companies will close for the end of the year (around Dec. 28 – Jan. 3), but we will talk more about that here if you want to jump ahead on the New Year’s calendar. Keep reading for our guide to celebrating New Year’s in Japan! . ↑ Go back to the table of contents. 1. Welcoming the New Year Decorations for New Year’s 🎍 Here is our annual guide to help you understand New Year customs in Japan. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac. New Year’s Eve - Omisoka (大晦日) Omisoka is the Japanese expression for New Year’s Eve. New Year celebrations in Western countries aren't related to the signs of the zodiac or at least most people don't do the connection. In Japan, however, New Year is strongly connected to the Japanese zodiac or eto 干支. Like the Chinese one, the Japanese zodiac has 12 signs, each represented by an animal, with a 12 years cycle. Japanese New Year traditions are rich and symbolic. They include “Joya no Kane,” the ringing of temple bells 108 times to purify the soul, “Hatsumode,” visiting shrines or temples to pray for good fortune, and enjoying traditional foods like “osechi ryori” and “ozoni,” each with unique meanings. The New Year period is one of the most important times of the year in Japan, with the season typically celebrated with family while taking part in a number of traditions, which we’ll explore in this article. Read on to learn more about Japan's New Year, its symbols, food, and more! Shōgatsu, or New Year, is Japan’s most important holiday, combining traditions and customs expressing gratitude for the past year and ensuring health and prosperity in the months ahead. Many More information is available on the New Year and Visiting during New Year pages. Second Monday of January (national holiday) Coming of Age (seijin no hi): The coming of age of young adults is celebrated on this national holiday. The age of legal adulthood in Japan was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2022. February 3 Beginning of spring (setsubun): Yes it’s busy and crowded with domestic and international travelers. Weather is nice and the cherry blossoms are out and that’s a huge draw. The kids also have spring break from end of March to early April which contributes to the crowds. Also, Japan was still not fully open for this year’s cherry blossom season. New Year's Day - January 1. New Year's Day is the most important holiday in Japan, and it marks the beginning of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. On this day, many people visit shrines or temples to pray for good luck and health in the new year. Winter fireworks can be enjoyed at various locations in Japan, including Lake Kawaguchiko by Mt. Fuji, Atami Onsen, and Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki. We introduce seven winter fireworks festivals for memorable Christmas events, New Year 2025, and travel during the first months of the year in Japan. Mid-November to December: Year-End Jumbo Lottery ; The ticket designs change with the season, and the Year-End Jumbo Lottery ticket is no exception. Over the years, it’s slowly become a New Year’s tradition among Japanese families as a way to end and start the year on a hopeful note. Lottery Prizes April is the beginning of a new business or school year for Japan. So I decide to write this blog new post in now, for the first time in a while. New life starts in April in Japan. In Japan, April marks the beginning of the school year and the start of the company’s fiscal year. Japan Skiing for Chinese New Years / Lunar New Year If you’re thinking of a trip to ski Japan in late January to mid February, it’s best to check the timing of Chinese New Year (the first day of the Chinese New Year falls on the new moon between 21 January and 20 February). Lots of folks from China and Singapore descend on Japan over the Japan started a new fiscal year on Monday. A number of changes that are affecting consumers are underway in the fields of retail, transportation, and medical services. The rate of the price Before that, they used the Lunar Calendar, but instead of keeping the Lunar New Year like other Asian countries, Japan decided to simply move the Lunar New Year traditions to January 1. However, the fiscal year (government) is from April to March with 4 three-month terms: April to June, July to September, October to December, and January to March. Home. Japan Public Holidays 2025. This page contains a national calendar of all 2025 public holidays. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.