Japan has its own way to mark the arrival of the New Year. New Year in Japan begins on 31st December and lasts till 3rd January. Japanese New Year, also known as “Oshogatsu” or “Shogatsu” is considered as a very auspicious occasion by the Japanese people. New Year in Japan starts with the bells ringing in the Buddhist temples for as much as 108 times. By doing so, Japanese ring out the old year and ring in the New Year with pomp and show. It’s a traditional legend to erase the 108 desires regarding sense and feeling in every person.

New Year celebrations in Japan in a way means no office and only feasting and making merry. Party hard with friends and loved ones around is what the Japanese do to celebrate the New Year in Japan. For children New Year celebrations in Japan means receiving money in special envelopes or gifts from their relatives along with feasting upon mouthwatering delicacies.

Continuing the New Year Celebrations, Japanese start their New Year Day with their traditional dish called “Mochi” or with rice cake breakfast called “Zouni”. Playing games like Karuta, a card game, Hanetsuki, Japanese Badminton and Takoage, Kite flying are all part of New Year in Japan. It won’t be wrong to say that New Year for Japanese is like Christmas is for Americans.