New Year Greetings in Japan and How to Celebrate: A Guide to Kotoba Garden Japanese Services

Starting the new year in Japan is a unique experience filled with tradition, respect, and joyful celebration. The phrase あけましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu), meaning "Happy New Year," is more than just a greeting; it reflects a deep cultural appreciation for fresh beginnings and good fortune. If you want to understand how the Japanese welcome the new year and explore ways to engage with this tradition, this guide will walk you through the essential customs and introduce how Kotoba Garden Japanese can help you learn and celebrate in an authentic way.

How to Say New Year Greetings in Japan

The most common and polite way to greet someone at the start of the year is:

• あけましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu)

This means "Happy New Year" and is used from January 1st onward.

• To express gratitude and continued goodwill, people often say:

今年もよろしくお願いいたします (Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu)

This translates to "I look forward to your continued support this year."

These greetings are typically exchanged in person, over the phone, or in written form such as New Year’s cards called 年賀状 (nengajou). The cards are sent to friends, family, colleagues, and business partners to express thanks and good wishes.

Tips for Using New Year Greetings

• Use the formal version ございます (gozaimasu) when speaking to elders, superiors, or in formal settings.

• Among close friends or family, the shorter version あけましておめでとう (Akemashite omedetou) is acceptable.

• Combine greetings with a bow or a slight nod to show respect.

  
  

Basic Japanese New Year Traditions and How People Celebrate

The Japanese New Year, or お正月 (Oshougatsu), is the most important holiday in Japan. It is a time for family, reflection, and renewal. Here are some key customs:

1. Preparing for the New Year

• Cleaning the house (大掃除, Oosouji) is done before the new year to sweep away bad luck and welcome good fortune.

• People decorate their homes with 門松 (Kadomatsu), made of pine, bamboo, and plum branches, symbolizing longevity, prosperity, and steadfastness.

• Shimenawa, a sacred rope decoration, is hung at entrances to ward off evil spirits.

  
  

2. New Year’s Eve and Day

• Families gather for Toshikoshi Soba, buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year’s Eve to symbolize longevity.

• At midnight, many visit shrines or temples for Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, to pray for health and happiness.

• People often wear traditional clothing like kimono for special occasions.

  
  

3. New Year’s Food (Osechi Ryori)

• Special dishes are prepared and packed in layered boxes called jubako.

• Each food has symbolic meaning, such as black beans for health and herring roe for fertility.

• The food is designed to last several days so families can relax without cooking.

  
  

4. New Year’s Cards and Gifts

• Sending nengajou is a widespread custom to maintain relationships.

• Children receive otoshidama, money gifts in small envelopes, from relatives.

  
  

5. Games and Entertainment

• Traditional games like karuta (a card game) and hanetsuki (a badminton-like game) are played.

• Watching the first sunrise of the year, hatsuhinode, is considered auspicious.

  
  

How Kotoba Garden Japanese Can Help You Experience the New Year

If you want to deepen your understanding of Japanese culture or prepare to celebrate the New Year like a local, Kotoba Garden Japanese offers tailored services to guide you through language and customs.

Language Learning with Cultural Context

Kotoba Garden Japanese focuses on teaching practical Japanese with cultural insights. You will learn:

• How to use New Year greetings correctly in different situations.

• Vocabulary related to traditional foods, decorations, and customs.

• Polite expressions and etiquette for formal and informal settings.

  
  

Interactive Lessons and Workshops

• Participate in workshops that explain the significance of Oshougatsu traditions.

• Practice writing nengajou cards with correct phrases and calligraphy tips.

• Learn how to prepare simple osechi dishes or understand their ingredients.

  
  

Personalized Support

• Receive one-on-one coaching to improve your conversational skills for holiday greetings.

• Get cultural advice if you plan to visit Japan during the New Year.

• Access resources that explain the history and meaning behind each custom.

  
  

Community and Events

• Join online or local events hosted by Kotoba Garden Japanese to celebrate the New Year together.

• Connect with other learners who share your interest in Japanese culture.

• Experience virtual tours of shrines or traditional celebrations.

  
  

Why Embracing Japanese New Year Traditions Matters

Understanding and participating in Japanese New Year customs offers more than just language practice. It opens a window into values like respect, gratitude, and family bonds that are central to Japanese life. Whether you are learning Japanese for travel, business, or personal interest, these traditions provide meaningful context that enriches your experience.

By greeting others with あけましておめでとうございます and engaging in customs like Hatsumode or enjoying osechi ryori, you connect with a culture that honors the past while welcoming the future.