Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year is usually celebrated between late January and February, during the first new moon. This year, it will be on Sunday 22nd January, 2023. But if you’re in Japan, you may be wondering, “Does Japan celebrate Chinese New Year?” The Japanese New Year (正月, Shōgatsu) is an annual festival that takes place in Japan. Since 1873, the official Japanese New Year has been celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, on January 1 of each year, New Year's Day (元日, Ganjitsu). Do People In Japan Celebrate Lunar New Year? The short answer is: No. Japanese do not celebrate New Year in the same way as other Asian countries do. From the 6th Century BC, Japan had a calendar that combined lunar and solar calendars. Of all of the holidays in Japan, New Year is the most important, but this holiday relates to Japanese shōgatsu traditions which begin on January 1st, following the Gregorian calendar. Lunar New Year is not widely celebrated in Japan, but there are some areas that put on events. The Japanese New Year, known as “Oshogatsu,” has elements that align with the Lunar New Year. However, Oshogatsu also incorporates unique Japanese customs and traditions, such as the first visit to a Shinto shrine (Hatsumode) and the consumption of special New Year dishes (Osechi). The New Year (お正月 Oshōgatsu) is the most celebrated holiday in Japan. Preparation for New Year’s Day (元日 Ganjitsu ) begins weeks before, as people rush to clean and decorate the house, prepare special foods, throw parties, and write greeting cards. While Japan does not celebrate Lunar New Year as a whole, people do celebrate it within the country. This is because there are many different cultures within the mainland and surrounding islands. If you are planning a trip to Japan, why not check out the local Lunar New Year celebrations? Japanese New Year celebrations are significant to families across the country! On January 1st, they gather to start the new year on a good note, to bring new fortune! But does Japan celebrate Lunar New Year? Where do they celebrate it? Let’s find out! What is the lunar calendar? The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is normally celebrated around late January till sometime in the end of February. The celebration takes place from the first moon of the year and honors old traditions, customs and superstitions that date back to early Chinese legends. Explore the enduring charm of the Lunar New Year in Japan, its cultural significance, and the potential future of this age-old celebration in our guide. Japanese New Year (Shogatsu or Oshogatsu お正月) is the most important holiday in Japan. Since 1873, during the Meiji era, the official New Year has been celebrated on January 1st due to Western influence, rather than the New Year based on the lunar calendar (also known as Lunar New Year). Japanese New Year's decorations are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also have a variety of meanings. Whether you would like to decorate your home in Japan for the New Year or are simply interested in local traditions and culture, this article will provide you with all the essential information on New Year's decorations in Japan. Akemashite omedetou (明けましておめでとう or in hiragana only あけましておめでとう) is the more casual way to say “Happy New Year” in Japanese and is used once the new year has started. It is the common new year greeting in less formal situations and said to friends, close coworkers, and other people you know well. What makes Oshogatsu, the Japanese New Year, so special? Celebrated from January 1-7, Oshogatsu is not just a holiday but a deep cultural tradition in Japan. It's a time of unique traditions and foods, offering a glimpse into Japan's rich culture and heritage, distinct from Lunar New Year celebrations in other Asian countries. Undeniably, New Year is a very important celebration no matter which part of the world you are living in. Some might celebrate the New Year according to the Lunar calendar, others according to Gregorian calendar. No matter which calendar you are following, the New Year celebration brings the same meaning – a new beginning. Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on lunar calendars or, the official Japanese New Year has been celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, All new years celebrations I'm aware of take place on 01 January. The year of the tiger is already here. I'm sure there are communities within Japan that hold off celebrating the lunar new year until it is actually time. But this isn't a mainstream thing. Historically, Japan celebrated the New Year according to the traditional lunar calendar, just like China.However, during the Meiji Era, the Japanese government moved towards Westernization and adopted the Gregorian calendar with the New Year beginning on January 1. Japanese families gather, visit loved ones, and enjoy their days off over the entire span of the Japanese New Year holiday. Before 1873, Japan typically celebrated the new year according to the lunar calendar, similar to the Chinese. But when they adopted the Gregorian calendar of the western hemisphere, they shifted their celebrations to Just as New Year celebrations finish in the West, people are gearing up to mark Lunar New Year in the East! 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake, starting from January 29, 2025, to February 16, 2026. Although it did not originate in Japan, the Chinese zodiac, and the 12 animals that represent it, have been embraced by Japanese culture wholeheartedly. During the time of both the New Year on
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.