How the Year Ends in Japan — Preparing for a New Beginning

Japanese Tradition

Dec 27

日本の年末行事 ― 新しい年を迎えるために

In Japan, the end of the year is not marked by excess or spectacle, but by clearing, resetting, and quiet intention. Everyday actions—cleaning, decorating, eating—become small rituals that prepare both the home and the heart for the year ahead.

These customs have been passed down not as formal ceremonies, but as part of daily life, shaping how time is closed and renewed.

大掃除 (Ōsōji) — Clearing the Year Away

Ōsōji, the traditional year-end cleaning, is an act of closure. Homes, shops, and even temples are carefully cleaned so the new year can be welcomed without remnants of the old.

More than hygiene, Ōsōji reflects a shared understanding that space carries memory. Clearing it allows the coming year to begin with clarity and intention.

注連飾り (Shimekazari) — Marking the Threshold

Shimekazari are New Year decorations placed at entrances to homes. Made from twisted rice straw and simple natural elements, they quietly mark the boundary between the everyday and the auspicious.

Rooted in Shinto belief, shimekazari signal readiness for renewal—welcoming good fortune while keeping misfortune at bay.

鏡餅 (Kagami Mochi) — A Moment of Stillness

Kagami mochi—two stacked round rice cakes topped with a bitter orange—are displayed during the New Year period as offerings.

Their understated form invites pause. Rather than decoration, kagami mochi represents balance, gratitude, and continuity, standing quietly as the year turns.

年越しそば (Toshikoshi Soba) — Crossing the Year

On New Year’s Eve, families eat toshikoshi soba, long buckwheat noodles symbolizing endurance and resilience.

The ritual is modest and unceremonious, reflecting a Japanese approach to transition—not a dramatic ending, but a steady crossing from one year to the next.

除夜の鐘 (Joya no Kane) — Letting Go at Midnight

As the year draws to a close, Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells 108 times, each toll representing one earthly desire to be released.

The sound carries through the cold night air, marking the passage of time with reflection rather than celebration.

Ending with Intention

Japanese year-end rituals do not promise sudden transformation. Instead, they offer something more enduring: attention, care, and the grace of a proper ending.

How the year ends matters—because it shapes how the next one begins.

This article is part of an ongoing series exploring seasonal rituals in Japan, where everyday customs quietly mark the passage of time throughout the year. #JapaneseTradition

Japanese year-end ritualsJapan New Year traditionsJapanese seasonal ritualsJapanese cultural traditionsEnd of year in JapanŌsōji Shimekazari Kagami mochi Toshikoshi soba Joya no Kane Japanese New Year customsŌsōjiShimekazariKagami mochiToshikoshi sobaJoya no KaneJapanese New Year customs

Japan Suite

Showcasing traditional Japanese crafts and the artisans who create them — their stories and their art in words and visions. Japan’s hand-made crafts have played an integral role in the lives of Japanese for centuries. They are created in response to basic, everyday needs and have long been used in the daily rhythms of life. They come from the earth and from nature, and they are prized for their simplicity and long life. Craftspeople pour their passion, pride and energy into their handiwork, creating objects that can far outlive their creators, but in doing so, they carry on the artist’s legacy. The artisans know their objects can live hundreds of years, and they want to be just as proud of it in 100 years as they are today. So, everyday household items take on a life of their own, their own spirit and their own story. They are unique, one-of-a-kind creations with a character and spirit that grows stronger with regular use. The artist creates the object, but that is just the beginning of the journey. In the hands of its owner, a relationship is created, one that is nurtured across time. Just as we do, these creations will change over time developing new imperfections and new character. Each region and each artisan have their own character. In Japan, this is known as meibutsu. The legacy has been passed down by Japanese artists across time down to today’s craftspeople who are advancing and redefining this tradition. We applaud these artisans, and we strive to support them as they re-interpret the heritage of their predecessors — and we are proud to introduce their work, their stories and the passion they put into their creation here at Japan Suite.

How the Year Ends in Japan — Preparing for a New Beginning

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