{"id":62961,"date":"2016-01-03T14:00:48","date_gmt":"2016-01-03T05:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/japanese-new-year-culture\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T10:41:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T01:41:44","slug":"japanese-new-year-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/ja\/japanese-new-year-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese New Year: The lasting traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that until the Meiji era, the Japanese New Year calendar was similar to the Chinese calendar? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was only until 1873 that the Japanese New Year changed for the Gregorian calendar, however, all the traditional customs were maintained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Japanese usually visit temples and shrines to pray for the next good year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

January is a great time to discover Japan<\/a>!\u00a0The Japanese New Year culture is also great occasion to learn many new Japanese words!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common phrases in Japanes New Year <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First of all, the Japanese New Year is called “shou gatsu”, “\u6b63\u6708” which literally means “the principal month”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first day of January is called “gantan” \u5143\u65e6 but… the morning of the first is called “ganjitsu” \u5143\u65e5! Be careful with the kanji as they are very similar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On that day, all the nengajou – the New Year’s postcards, are delivered by Japan post office and family will share the delicious “osechi-ryouri”, the typical new year’s dishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early January, it is custom to visit shrine with family or friend in order to pray for the next year. As it is the first visit of the year, it has the special name of “hatsumoude” and it is written with the kanji for “first time”: \u521d\u8a63. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, everything that you will do during January may have its special word composed with “hatsu”:<\/p>\n\n\n\n