Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan.From January 1st to the first few days of the year, the atmosphere of the country changes completely. If you are visiting Japan during this time, here are 7 things … Read More
A Guide to Kadomatsu, Japan’s New Year Symbol When visiting Japan during the New Year season, you may notice tall bamboo decorations placed at the entrances of buildings.Many travelers wonder: What are these decorations? Why bamboo? And when can you … Read More
What Is a Fukubukuro? A Fun Japanese New Year Shopping Tradition for Travelers If you visit Japan around New Year, you may hear people talking about “Fukubukuro – Lucky bag.”A Fukubukuro (福袋) literally means “lucky bag” and is a popular … Read More
In Japan, each year is associated with an animal from the Japanese zodiac, known as Eto.The year 2026 is the Year of the Horse (Uma-doshi), a symbol full of energy, speed, and freedom.If you are visiting Japan around New Year, … Read More
Visiting a shrine or temple at the beginning of the year—called Hatsumode—is one of Japan’s most important New Year traditions. Many people visit between January 1–3 to pray for good luck, health, and prosperity for the coming year. In Tokyo, … Read More
Why Tokyo’s Most Famous Crossing Turns Silent on New Year’s Eve Many travelers visiting Japan during the New Year season imagine a lively countdown party in Tokyo — especially at the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. However, unlike major cities such … Read More
New Year’s visit to a shrine, known as “Hatsumode (初詣)”, is a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Have you ever wondered about the meaning and origins behind this practice? Meaning of Hatsumode: Hatsumode refers to the tradition of … Read More