Akeome! Experience New Year the Japanese way
Wondering what Akeome means? It is actually short for akemashite omedetō gozaimasu (明けましておめでとうございます)— a standard greeting that means “Happy New Year”.
Visiting Japan during the end of the year? Why not take this rare opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese New Year? For the uninitiated, celebrating New Year (お正月 oshōgatsu) in Japan can be surprisingly different to what you may be familiar with in your hometown. As I personally tend to visit Japan during this time of the year, here are some things you should definitely try to fully embrace the spirit of Oshogatsu!
1. Toshikoshi Soba (年越しそば)
This phrase literally translates to ‘year-crossing’ soba and is eaten on the night of New Year’s Eve. While it tastes exactly like a bowl of ordinary soba noodles, on this special occasion, it symbolizes crossing from one year to the next. Secondly, the noodles are easily cut and this signifies the “cutting off” of this year’s regrets before moving on to the new year.
(Image credit: photoAC)
2. Joya No Kane (除夜の鐘)
If you’re visiting some of the bigger shrines during the New Year countdown, you may hear a bell being rung 108 times—this, my friends, is the joya no kane. The term joya no kane can be broken down into joya, which means New Year’s Eve, and kane, which means bell. This practice is carried out to purify the hearts of ordinary people of their 108 worldly sins, and is done to welcome the new year with a refreshed perspective and attitude on things. Although tradition mandates that the bell can only be rung by monks, some temples allow visitors to ring the bell as well. Just be sure to be there early, as bigger shrines tend to be really crowded, and bring along some heat packs to endure the cold!
(Image credit: photoAC)
3. Hatsumōde (初詣)
Known by locals as one of the many “firsts of the year”, this tradition celebrates the first shrine or temple visit to pray for health, fortune and luck in the new year. 1st of January is the most popular day for locals to do their Hatsumode, however, you can avoid the crowds by visiting on 2nd or 3rd January as well.
Unsure of how to offer your prayers? Simply remember this cheat code: two-two-one (二礼二拍手一礼 ni-rei, ni-hakushu, ichi-rei), and you’re good to go for most shrines.
- If there is a bell, hold onto the rope with both hands and give it a firm shake.
- Bow deeply two times. Bend slowly and deliberately from the waist.
- Clap two times to express your gratitude. Your hands should be raised to around the chest-level, and should open to shoulder-width as you clap.
- Offer your silent prayer.
- End off with a final bow!
(Image credit: JR Times / Julia Yee)
Shrine and temple grounds are usually lined with stalls selling food, omamori (お守り lucky charms), as well as omikuji (おみくじ fortune slips). The latter is your chance to see how your year will unfold! There are a variety of possible outcomes, and they can be classified into 2 broad categories—Blessing (吉 kichi) and Curse (凶 kyō).
These are the very basics, but many places tend to be more specific in terms of the degree of “blessing”. The levels of blessing is done by adding words like dai (大 big), toku (特 special) or chō (超 extremely) in front. So when you get a dai dai kichi (大大吉 big, big blessing), you’ll know you really are blessed! Some temples and shrines offer lots to indicate the neutral outcomes too, such as hei (平 even), right in the middle between blessing and curse.
If you, unfortunately, draw a bad lot, don’t be discouraged! Omikuji often explains how you can improve your fortune – and you can even tie it to a designated place in the shrine so that the bad luck will be “tied” onto the structure and not be stuck on you.
(Image credit: photoAC)
4. Osechi Ryori (おせち料理) & Ozoni (お雑煮)
A quintessential and traditional meal for the first day of the year, osechi ryori and ozoni are often served together. The osechi ryori consists of many small colorful dishes, each with a special meaning. These are served in beautiful 2- or 3-tiered lacquer boxes known as the ojūbako (お重箱). As for the ozoni, it is a dashi-based mochi soup that tastes different for every household, since the local ingredients may vary from region to region. This has to be one of the heartiest breakfasts in the world, as the variety of colours and flavours is an explosion of sensory enjoyment. I love tasting a little bit of everything!
(Image credit: JR Times / Julia Yee)
Modern Japan may be increasingly favouring convenience over tradition, but after every New Year spent in Japan, I’m thankful that at least the New Year celebrations are still deeply steeped in traditional culture. If you are visiting Japan during the end of December, don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself and experience the New Year countdown in a new light.
Header image credit: JR Times / Julia Yee
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