New Year in Japan (Amirali)

In most countries around the world, the New Year is celebrated with zeal; large gatherings, glamorous fireworks, lucrative sales and groundbreaking parties make the headlines. However, celebrating New Year in Japan is a unique experience. Japanese greet the New Year with respect and excelsior. Excessive festivity is avoided. It is a contrast from the glamorous, socializing Christmas parties to the calm, peaceful streets on the New Year’s Eve.

It all starts a couple of weeks before the start of a new year. People usually send cards to their relatives and professional contacts. The cards contain written text describing their feelings towards the receiver and warm wishes for the upcoming year. This depicts a sign of respect and alleviates affection. To facilitate such massive exchange activities, the Japan Post makes special arrangements so that the New Year’s greetings are received in time and spread joy all around.

Finally comes the much awaited day- the New Year’s Eve. Considering the traditional ceremonies performed and the peace of mind it requires, most people get holidays from 29th December to (around) 3rd January which gives them ample time to celebrate the event with complete ritual ceremonies. It is amazing to know that rather than partying and dancing people prefer to spend the day at homes with their family and friends. Traditional food is prepared including raimen and moochi (a special rice cookie). The Japan Railways (JR) is operational throughout the night to facilitate people travelling to shrines and relatives.

One of the most attended ceremonies takes places near the Zojoji Temple, besides the Tokyo Tower where the start of the New Year is attended by thousands of people carrying flags and silver balloons. The outlook is perfect: glittering lights on the tower with pitch dark surroundings. The start of the New Year is marked by a countdown with a constant sound of the holy bell from the shrine accompanied with roars from the audience greeting each other a Happy New Year- a moment worth experiencing!

Later all the attendants make way towards the Zojoji Temple which is a classical masterpiece of architecture. Inside the temple is intricately decorated with a golden altar. In large rectangular boxes, people pay monetary tribute before worship and pray for a successful year ahead.

Overall, the New Year celebration in Japan is full of diverse rituals and traditions, which makes it different and worth experiencing.