Enjoy the New Year! How to enjoy first shrine visits, New Year decorations, and traditional games
One of the most important annual events for the Japanese people
"New Year's Day (New Year)."
This is the day when a new year begins, and we make resolutions and wishes for the year, for the future, for health, happiness,
My family and I go to the shrine for the first visit of the year to pray, hoping that we can return to normal everyday life.
On this page, we would like to explain in detail about New Year's Day.
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For those who want to know about other annual events, customs, and festivals in Japan,
" Learn more about traditional Japanese cultural annual events "
Please see here.
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Welcome the new year in style!
The meaning of New Year's decorations and effective preparation methods
New Year's decorations serve as auspicious items to welcome the new year .
Each decoration, such as the kadomatsu and shimenawa ropes, has a meaning and is said to bring good fortune in the new year and ward off evil spirits.
When choosing decorations, it is important to understand their meaning .
You also need to be creative in how you display it, as the meaning will vary depending on where you display it, such as in the entrance, living room, or bedroom.
Before the New Year arrives, make sure you are well prepared and decorate your entire home with festive colors .
This will ensure that you have a good New Year's holiday with good fortune .
Easy and luxurious!
New Year's dishes that anyone can make and recommended menus
When it comes to New Year's food, osechi ryori is the most representative, but there are also many other dishes that are simple yet look luxurious .
With a little ingenuity, you can easily make classic New Year's dishes like black beans, herring roe, and chestnut paste at home.
Also, just by making a few beautiful dishes , you can instantly brighten up your dinner table.
For example, we recommend Japanese-style roast beef, which looks luxurious on its own , or a colorful vegetable marinade that is easy to make .
By adding some color and creativity to your dishes, your family and guests are sure to be delighted .
Fun for the whole family!
5 Traditional New Year Games and How to Enjoy Them
There are many traditional games that the whole family can enjoy during the New Year holidays.
Traditional games such as battledore and shuttlecock, Fukuwarai, and kite flying are still popular today .
Battledore and shuttlecock in particular is an activity that children can get absorbed in, and it gives you a taste of the unique New Year atmosphere .
Fukuwarai is also a great way to have fun laughing together as a family.
Kite flying is a fun activity that can be enjoyed in large parks and squares while feeling the wind .
Strengthen family bonds and create happy memories through traditional New Year's games .
Make your New Year's resolutions a success!
Effective planning and practical ideas
With each new year, many people set new goals and resolutions.
New Year's resolutions are an important step that can lead to self-improvement and new challenges.
However, it is also true that many people end up giving up halfway through or are unable to put their plans into action.
Here are some "secrets to success" that are perfect for you!
First, be clear about your true desires and goals.
The first step towards achieving your goals is to visualize what you want to do and who you want to become.
Next, break your goal down into small steps.
For example, if your resolution is to live a healthier life , it's effective to start with small habits you can incorporate into your daily routine, such as walking every day or trying a healthy recipe once a week.
And if you think about what reward you'll give yourself when you achieve this goal, it will make it even more exciting !
Additionally, try to visualize yourself achieving your goal.
Just imagining yourself in the future filled with a sense of accomplishment will instantly boost your motivation.
Finally, it's also helpful to tell people around you about your goals and ask for their support.
Having friends who support you makes it easier to achieve goals that would be difficult to achieve alone.
Get the new year off to a great start and make your resolutions a reality !
Top 10 shrines across Japan to visit for the first time in the new year!
Benefits and tips for visiting
Hatsumode is an important New Year's event, and going with family and friends makes you feel like you're welcoming the new year.
There are many shrines across the country that are said to bring good fortune .
Meiji Shrine (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo)
When it comes to first shrine visits in Tokyo, Meiji Shrine is the place to go.
It boasts the highest number of visitors in Japan, with over 3 million people visiting during the first three days of the New Year each year.
The space, surrounded by the vast shrine forest, is so quiet and solemn that it's hard to believe you're in the heart of the city.
It is said to bring good health, safety for the home, and good luck at work.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its "Thousand Torii Gates," is the head shrine of the more than 30,000 Inari shrines across the country.
It is said to bring good fortune in business prosperity and bountiful harvests, and is popular among business managers and students taking exams.
The area starts to get lively before dawn on New Year's Day, creating a fantastical atmosphere.
Ise Shrine (Ise City, Mie Prefecture)
Ise Shrine is also known as the "spiritual home of the Japanese people."
The basic practice is to visit both shrines, Amaterasu Omikami at the Inner Shrine and Toyouke Omikami at the Outer Shrine.
It is also popular with families for visits, and is enveloped in a solemn atmosphere befitting the start of 2025.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
A popular first shrine visit spot that can be enjoyed along with sightseeing in Kamakura.
This shrine is associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo and is said to grant good luck in winning, safety in the home, and safe travels.
It is also interesting to visit the shrine while walking along the Dankazura (stepped ridge), and many visitors can be seen dressed in their finest attire.
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is affectionately known as "Sumiyossan."
Along with the beautiful arched bridge, many people visit to pray for good health and protection from misfortune in the new year.
On New Year's Day, the shrine is bustling with visitors from early in the morning, and many food stalls are set up.
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
This is the head shrine of all Tenmangu shrines across the country, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning.
As it coincides with exam season, the temple is bustling with students and their families praying for success.
Walking along the approach to the shrine while eating Umegaemochi is a fun first shrine visit experience.
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (Narita City, Chiba Prefecture)
Although it is a temple and not a shrine, it is known as one of the best spots in the country for New Year's visits.
It is said to ward off evil and bring good fortune, and is popular with foreign tourists as it is close to the airport.
The approach to the shrine is lined with long-established eel restaurants, making food an added attraction.
Izumo Taisha Shrine (Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture)
Izumo Taisha Shrine is famous as the shrine for the god of matchmaking.
People from all over the country visit the shrine for the first time of the year, hoping for good relationships.
The large shimenawa ropes are very impressive, and the approach to the shrine is enveloped in a sacred atmosphere, making it the perfect place for the New Year.
Hokkaido Shrine (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
If you want to visit a shrine in the snow this is the place to go.
The temple grounds are in harmony with nature, and the clear winter air is like a cleansing breath of the soul.
It is popular with both locals and tourists, and its limited edition goshuin stamps and lucky bags are also attractive.
Omiya Hikawa Shrine (Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture)
It is an ancient shrine representing the Kanto region and is the Ichinomiya of Musashi Province.
It is said to be a power spot of great purification, and is said to bring good fortune and ward off evil.
Over 2 million people visit during the New Year holidays, creating a lively yet calm atmosphere.
When visiting a shrine for the first time in the new year, it is important to strictly observe the proper etiquette and manners .
When praying, be sure to follow the procedure of two bows, two claps, and one more bow to express your gratitude.
Get off to a great start in the new year with a visit to a shrine .
Prevent weight gain during the New Year!
Simple habits and dietary tips for staying healthy
During New Year's, we often end up eating too much.
As a result, many people may be troubled by gaining weight over the New Year holidays .
However, by adopting a few simple habits, you can prevent weight gain over the New Year.
First, it's important to gradually adjust the amount you eat .
There are some high-calorie dishes, such as osechi ryori and ozoni, but simply eating less can have a big effect .
It is also effective to incorporate some light exercise every day .
Make walking and stretching a habit and spend a healthy New Year's holiday .
The perfect New Year's greeting!
Sample sentences and email guides for business and personal use
New Year's greetings are an important form of communication, both in business and in personal life .
Especially in business situations, proper New Year's greetings can help maintain good relationships.
When sending New Year's greetings via email, the key is to keep the message short but sincere .
In addition to the basic phrase, "Thank you for your help last year. I look forward to working with you again this year," it will be more impressive if you express your gratitude to the other person in a more specific way.
To ensure a great start to the new year , make sure you prepare your greetings well.
Enjoy with the whole family!
A guide to recommended New Year's events across Japan and how to spend them
New Year's is a special time to spend relaxing with family.
But it would be a waste to just spend it at home!
Learning about New Year's-specific events and ways to spend the holiday that the whole family can enjoy is sure to make your New Year's even more exciting.
First, let's check out the New Year's events being held all over the country.
There are a ton of events unique to the New Year, from traditional shrine visits to first sales and festivals.
For example, in Asakusa, Tokyo, you can enjoy lively first shrine visits and festivals, and in Kyoto, you can solemnly welcome the New Year at a historic shrine.
In addition to visiting the shrine for the first time of the year, we also recommend enjoying the beautiful illuminations at night or going to a theme park with the whole family .
There are also New Year's-only attractions and parades, which children will love.
Another great way to spend New Year's with your family is to try making "osechi ryori" together or making your own "New Year's decorations."
Working with your hands can deepen family bonds, and the sense of accomplishment when you finish is special .
Of course, you can also relax at home and enjoy movies and games !
Choosing a movie that's perfect for New Year's, and spending time laughing and being moved with your family over popcorn, will be an irreplaceable memory.
This New Year, combine nationwide events with fun activities at home to have the best time of the year that will fill the whole family with smiles !
Handmade New Year decorations to brighten up your entrance!
A collection of DIY ideas that even beginners can easily do
As we welcome the New Year, handmade New Year decorations that brighten up the entrance are important items that bring good fortune to the entire house in the new year .
As DIY ideas that even beginners can easily do, we recommend arrangements using pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms , and handmade shimenawa ropes made from washi paper .
These materials are readily available at home improvement stores and florists.
Start by learning the basics of decorating , then work your way from there to a style that suits your home.
It has the warmth that only a handmade item can have, and is sure to please guests who visit your front door.
With just a few simple touches, your entrance will be transformed into a festive space , ready to welcome in the new year.
5 movies to watch in the new year!
A list of classic movies to enjoy with your family this New Year
New Year's is a great opportunity to enjoy movies with your family.
Start the year off right with a heartwarming movie with your family .
Here are five movies I recommend.
First of all, classic Disney movies are a surefire choice that both adults and children can enjoy .
In particular, works with themes of adventure and growth , such as "The Lion King" and "Aladdin," are perfect for the New Year's atmosphere.
Next, when it comes to Japanese animated films, we can't leave out Studio Ghibli works. "Spirited Away" is a fascinating story that evokes the bonds of family.
We also recommend comedy movies. Starting the new year with laughter is sure to be a great year.
Finally, make the New Year a heartwarming time with some classic, inspiring movies that the whole family can enjoy.
The secret behind lucky New Year's charms!
The meaning of cranes and turtles and tips for decorating your entrance
Each lucky charm displayed during the New Year has a deep meaning.
The crane symbolizes longevity, while the turtle symbolizes health and stability , making them both considered lucky charms for the New Year.
By displaying these at your entrance, you can bring good fortune into the new year and pray for the health and happiness of your family.
When decorating, it is important to place it in a prominent location in the entrance .
Also, when displaying auspicious items, it is important to understand the meaning of each one and handle them with care.
These small details will bring good fortune to your family and visitors.
Let's start the new year with colorful auspicious items .
Summary: Important points and precautions to enjoy New Year's perfectly
To fully enjoy the New Year, there are a few important points to keep in mind.
First, in preparation for the New Year , make sure to set up your New Year decorations and prepare your New Year's dishes.
Next, it's important to plan fun events and activities to cherish the time you spend with family and friends.
It is also important to clarify your goals and wishes for the new year through first shrine visits of the year and New Year's resolutions.
Finally, be sure to pay attention to your health to prevent weight gain over the New Year holidays , and to your physical condition if you are traveling for long periods of time.
By keeping these points in mind, you will be able to have a wonderful New Year's holiday .
A list of modern Hina dolls that are great for displaying during the New Year!
