New Year's Day

**New Year's Day in Japan (正月, Shōgatsu)** is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in the country. It marks the beginning of the new year and is a time for family gatherings, reflection, and traditional customs. The celebration typically lasts from January 1st to January 3rd, though some festivities extend into the first week of January. Key traditions include: - **Hatsumode (初詣):** The first shrine or temple visit of the year to pray for good fortune, health, and happiness. - **Osechi Ryori (お節料理):** Special New Year's meals served in layered boxes, featuring symbolic dishes that represent wishes for prosperity, longevity, and good luck. - **Kadomatsu (門松) and Shimekazari (しめ飾り):** Decorations placed at entrances to welcome ancestral spirits and bring good fortune. - **Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘):** On New Year's Eve, Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times to symbolize the cleansing of 108 human desires and sins. - **Nengajo (年賀状):** Sending New Year's postcards to friends and family, often featuring the zodiac animal of the year. New Year's Day in Japan is a time for renewal, gratitude, and spending time with loved ones, blending ancient traditions with modern celebrations.