Shogatsu (正月): celebrating the new year in Japan

New year (正月- shogatsu) in Japan reflects the traditional customs and beliefs surrounding this very important holiday on the Japanese calendar. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. Many celebrations are held including balls dropping, fireworks displays, and toasts of sake and champagne.　In Tokyo, many people celebrate at new years parties in locations all around the bustling city. You can also choose to watch the fireworks at Ikebukuro Sunshine City not far from our Borderless House Ikebukuro, or at Tokyo Tower before heading toward one of the countless clubs of the capital for special countdown nights, which can be found on the Clubberia website.  It is, however, some of the more traditional manners of celebrating the New Year that make Shogatsu so special.

In Japan the new year means truly leaving the remnants of the old year behind in order to freshly usher in a new year. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a fresh start. Consequently, all duties are supposed to be completed by the end of the year, while Bonnenkai parties ("year forgetting parties") are held with the purpose of leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind. Homes and entrance gates are decorated with ornaments made of pine, bamboo and plum trees, and clothes and houses are cleaned. The new year and its philosophy of rebirth and starting fresh is central to the thinking of Japanese people.

Traditionally on new year's eve, Toshikoshi Soba (buckwheat noodles), symbolizing longevity, are served. January 1 is a very auspicious day, best started by viewing the new year's first sunrise (Hatsu-Hinode), and traditionally believed to be representative for the whole year that has just commenced. Therefore, the day is supposed to be full of joy and free of stress and anger, while everything should be clean and no work should be done. We will post in a few days the best spots to enjoy Hatsu-Hinode so keep an eye to Tokyo Room Finder's blog!

The most popular activity tied to the celebration of Shogatsu is going to one of the many temples to pray, be blessed, and spend time with other people, which is called Hatsumode （初詣). Food and drink are often served and the more popular temples draw immense crowds. Some of the bigger temples like the Meiji Shrine draw over 1 million people during the three days!

At midnight, in every temple of the country bells are rung exactly 108 times. According to the Buddhist theory, human have 108 worldly desires and so the bell is struck to shed earthly desires and put oneself in a fresh and focused state of mind.

On January 2, the Emperor makes several public appearances at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, situated not so far from our Kanda Cozy Guesthouse, for the new year greetings. It is one of only two occasions during the year, when the inner grounds of the palace are opened to the public, the other being the Emperor's birthday on December 23.

Also in Japan, a very popular custom is the sending of New Year's cards, which are specially marked to be delivered on January 1. It is not uncommon for one person to send out several dozens of cards to friends, relatives and co-workers. 

Spending and enjoying the start of a new year in Japan can be a really uncommon and interesting experience for all non-Japanese people, and a great opportunity to touch the core of the Japanese culture. The whole staff at Tokyo Room Finder whish you a great end of 2010 and a great time during Shogatsu in Japan!

And from January 1st, don't forget to wish a happy new year by saying あけましておめでとうございます (Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!) to your friends!

   
Linked Article: 
where to see the first sunrise?

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