- Before the New Year: よいおとしを (have a good New Year).
- After January 1st: あけましておめでとうございます (Happy New Year).
- Add ことしもよろしくおねがいします (please treat me well this year too).
- Casual young people’s shortcut: あけおめ、ことよろ.
Before and after midnight
- よいおとしをyoi otoshi oHave a good New Year!Said in late December, before the year ends.
- あけましておめでとうございますakemashite omedetō gozaimasuHappy New Year!From January 1st. Literally: congratulations on the year having opened.
- あけましておめでとうakemashite omedetōHappy New Year! (casual)
- ことしもよろしくおねがいしますkotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasuI look forward to another year with you.Almost always follows the New Year greeting.
- あけおめ、ことよろakeome, kotoyoroHNY! (slang)Short for both phrases, among friends.
New Year’s cards (nengajō)
Instead of Christmas cards, many people in Japan send New Year’s postcards, ねんがじょう (nengajō). Posted by late December, they’re delivered on January 1st. Typical phrases:
- きんがしんねんkinga shinnenHappy New Year (formal written greeting)謹賀新年. Common printed on cards.
- きょねんはおせわになりましたkyonen wa osewa ni narimashitaThank you for everything last year.
- ことしもよろしくおねがいしますkotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasuBest wishes for this year, too.
Oshōgatsu traditions
| Tradition | What it is |
|---|---|
| おおみそか ōmisoka | New Year’s Eve. Temple bells ring 108 times at midnight. |
| としこしそば toshikoshi soba | Buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year’s Eve for a long life. |
| はつもうで hatsumōde | The first shrine or temple visit of the year. |
| おせちりょうり osechi ryōri | Traditional New Year’s dishes in lacquered boxes. |
| おとしだま otoshidama | Money gifts for children in decorated envelopes. |
| かどまつ kadomatsu | Pine and bamboo decorations at the entrance. |
Many businesses close from around December 29th to January 3rd, and people travel home to spend the holidays with family.
Useful words
- おしょうがつoshōgatsuNew Year (holiday period)
- がんたんgantanNew Year’s Day (morning)
- ことしkotoshithis year
- らいねんrainennext year
- きょねんkyonenlast year
It’s December 30th. You say goodbye to a colleague:
January 3rd, you meet your teacher:
The first shrine visit of the year is called:
Frequently asked questions
How do you say Happy New Year in Japanese?
After January 1st, say あけましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetō gozaimasu). Before the New Year, say よいお年を (yoi otoshi o), 'have a good New Year'.
What does kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu mean?
It means roughly 'I look forward to your continued support this year as well' and usually follows the New Year greeting.
What is oshōgatsu?
お正月 (oshōgatsu) is the Japanese New Year period, the country's most important holiday, with shrine visits, special food (osechi) and family gatherings.