In Japan, as mid-December approaches, it is customary to do a thorough year-end cleaning and decorate the home with New Year ornaments to welcome the *Toshigami-sama*, the deity who brings blessings for the coming year. From New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day, families gather around the table and celebrate the beginning of a new year by setting out auspicious foods that symbolize wishes for a rich harvest, good health, and prosperity.
With the New Year just around the corner, we would like to introduce Japanese New Year traditions along with our recommended seasonal items.
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1.Preparing to Welcome Toshigami-sama
In Japan, it has long been believed that *Toshigami-sama*, the ancestral and agricultural deity, visits each household during the New Year to bring good fortune. For this reason, people decorate their homes with *kadomatsu*, *shimekazari*, and *kagami-mochi* to welcome the deity and invite blessings of prosperity and abundance.
**New Year Decorations**
The traditional *shimekazari* hung at the entrance marks the home as a purified place suitable for welcoming Toshigami-sama and serves as a talisman against misfortune. Originally, “tama-kazari,” made by forming thick sacred ropes into rings and attaching auspicious ornaments, was common. However, as Christmas wreaths became widespread and Western-style homes increased, wreath-style New Year decorations—retaining the original meanings while blending with modern interiors—have become popular. Our shop also offers two types of wreaths. Welcome Toshigami-sama and greet the new year with heartfelt wishes.
[Shōen Kumihimo-Japanese Braid wreath]
A festive New Year wreath made with traditional Japanese braided cords (*kumihimo*). Each piece is carefully hand-braided by artisans, offering strong durability and beautiful patterns. Its soft texture blends naturally with both Japanese- and Western-style interiors.
[Japanese New Year Wreath "MIZUHIKI"]
A bamboo wreath crafted using the “wako-ami” basket-weaving technique. It features rice stalks symbolizing abundance in food and sacred paper strips for protection. Its lightweight construction allows it to be displayed easily in various locations.
→View the [Kōchosai Kosuga Bamboo-Japanese New Year Wreath "MIZUHIKI" ] here
2.New Year’s Eve Traditions
**Joya no Kane (New Year’s Eve Bell)**
*Joya no Kane* refers to the ringing of temple bells late on New Year’s Eve. The bell is traditionally struck 108 times to cleanse people of their worldly desires and welcome the new year with a pure heart. The number 108 is said to represent the number of human desires in Buddhism. Ringing the bell 108 times symbolizes purifying the mind and starting the year in a refreshed state.
**Toshikoshi Soba (Year-Crossing Soba)**
*Toshikoshi soba* is a traditional New Year’s Eve dish in Japan. Its long, thin noodles symbolize longevity, while the fact that soba breaks more easily than other noodles represents “cutting away the hardships and misfortunes of the past year.”
Regional variations include *nishin soba*, *kamo soba*, and many other local favorites.
A lacquer bowl that elevates toshikoshi soba into a truly special dish. Lacquerware naturally retains heat, preserving the aroma and warmth of the broth until the last sip. The graceful curves evoke the calmness of the sea, while its refined presence adds a dignified charm to the year-end table.
→View the [KIWAKOTO-UMIBOWL] here
3.New Year’s Day Traditions
**Osechi Ryori**
*Osechi ryori* is a traditional celebratory cuisine passed down through generations. It is enjoyed at the beginning of the year with hopes for health, a rich harvest, prosperity, and longevity. The layered *jubako* box symbolizes stacking blessings and joy. Each dish carries a specific meaning: black beans for diligence and health, herring roe for fertility, *tazukuri* for a bountiful harvest, and more.
Additionally, osechi dishes were originally designed to last for several days, allowing women to rest from kitchen work during the first three days of the new year.
Here are some recommended items from our shop that are perfect for New Year’s dining.
[“Fukutoribashi” Bamboo Serving Chopsticks]
Auspicious serving chopsticks used for osechi. They are double-ended, a style believed to receive blessings from the gods. Packed in a cylindrical box with red and black pairs, they make wonderful seasonal gifts. Lightweight bamboo and tapered tips make them useful even after the New Year for serving or cooking.
→View the [ Kōchosai Kosuga Bamboo-“Fukutoribashi” Bamboo Serving Chopsticks] here
[Dish Plate “Yui (結)”] 
In Japan, motifs related to “tying” have long been considered auspicious, such as knot designs and ceremonial cords (*mizuhiki*). The “Yui” plates feature uninterrupted braided patterns, making them ideal for celebratory New Year dining.
→View the [Oda Pottery-Dish Plate “Yui (結)] here
[Nest Chopstick Rests] 
Mino ware chopstick rests designed to match the glaze of “Yui.” Their bright red, white, and sumi tones add a festive touch to the table. They can hold not only chopsticks but also spoons and other cutlery—perfect when paired with the Yui plates.
→View the [Miyama-Nest Chopstick Rests] here
["Fudan" Hanahachi] 
Lacquerware available in two colors—*tame* (deep amber) and *ginshu* (vermilion)—perfect for festive occasions. Handmade by Echizen lacquer artisans, these durable pieces withstand high heat and are dishwasher- and dryer-safe. Their lustrous finish adds elegance to the table and enriches time spent with loved ones.
During the New Year, people visit shrines or temples to pray for household safety, health, and business prosperity. Fortune slips, amulets, and ritual arrows are also part of this seasonal tradition.
If you visit Kyoto for *hatsumōde*, we highly recommend **Fushimi Inari Taisha**. The iconic vermilion Senbon Torii (thousand torii gates) create a serene and purifying atmosphere, perfect for starting the year. Fushimi Inari has long been worshipped as the deity of business prosperity, household safety, and abundant harvests, drawing countless visitors each New Year. When visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha, please feel free to stop by our shop as well.
4.Conclusion
Japanese New Year traditions are rich in meaning, blending reverence for deities, family bonds, and an appreciation of seasonal transitions.
If you wish to welcome the new year with hope and a fresh spirit, why not begin preparing with our recommended items?