Happy New Year! あけましておめでとうございます！
We hope this first week of 2025 has treated everyone well.
New Year’s Day is a national holiday and is celebrated as one of the biggest annual festivities across Japan.
One of the most important rituals in Japan to mark the new year is “hatsumode” when people visit shrines and temples for the first time in the year to pray for a healthy and happy year. Another traditional practice is waking up early to watch the first sunrise of the year, known as “hatsuhinode”, as it is traditionally believed to bring good harvest and happiness in the new year.
Families gather around and often prepare “osechi-ryori” a few days before to enjoy on January 1st! Each of the special dishes in osechi carry a special meaning, such as the sweet, rolled omelet being associated with academic success, the sweet black soybeans representing health, and the long and bent back of the shrimp representing longevity and professional success. Children often look forward to receiving “otoshidama” which are special allowances given out during the new year. Did you participate in any of these traditions on New Year’s Day?
The year 2025 in Japanese zodiac is the year of snake, which is said to be a year in which your effort will bear you fruit and lead you to success.
We wish you all a successful year of the snake!
