New Year’s Eve in Hawaii and Japan

         

         In Japan, celebrating the New Year is the biggest holiday of the year.  Christmas, although a fun holiday in Japan, is not a national holiday.  Businesses and schools stay open during Christmas day and it is business as usual.  However, New Year’s Day in Japan is a national holiday business and schools are closed—and everyone participates in ushering in the New Year.

         Known as oshogatsu or “first month”, the New Year is the traditional winter celebration of Japan.   Unlike celebrating the New Year in the West, oshogatsu is celebrated from New Year’s Eve until January 3.   All Japanese businesses and government services are closed until January 3^rd in observance of oshogatsu.

         In the United States, the tradition of New Year’s usually focuses on elaborate New Year’s Eve parties and/or fireworks, with a boisterous celebratory champagne toast and/or fireworks at the stroke of midnight to bring in the New Year.   Watching the “ball” drop in New York’s Times Square is also a huge marker of the New Year in the United States.  In the United States the actual day of the New Year, January 1, is the only official national holiday and everyone returns to work on January 2.  In Japan, everyone is off work from December 31 until January 3.

         Western style New Year’s Eve parties and fireworks are also easy to find in Japan.  Many hotels, clubs and other venues host New Year’s Eve parties.  However, most Japanese celebrate the New Year with family and friends either at home or a restaurant.

         It is easy to know when it is New Year’s time in Japan because you will see business and homes decorated with kadomatsu and simekazari .  These are holiday decorations made from bamboo shoots, plum branches and straw.  These ornaments are for good luck in the new year, to ward off bad luck and to welcome the gods of good fortune.   Traditionally these ornaments are burned on January  15.

         There are certain foods that Japanese eat to celebrate the new year. Toshikoshi soba (“year-crossing buckwheat noodes”) are served hot on New Year’s Eve to symbolize cutting off the past year’s misfortunes and to provide for good luck and long life in the coming year.    On New Year’s Day ozoni, a flavorful soup made with mochi, and osechi ryori (other traditional New Year foods), are served side by side for all to enjoy together.

         Aside from the boom of fireworks at midnight, there is another sound that echoes throughout Japan on New Year’s Eve: the temple bell.  The sounding of the temple or shrine bell rings out 108 times just prior to midnight.   This ritual is called joya no kane and signifies the 108 earthy desires that cause human beings suffering in the Buddhism.   In Tokyo, the Zojoji temple near Tokyo tower and Asakusa’s Sensoji temple are usually packed to hear the bells.

         On New Year’s Day many Japanese participate in hatsumode which also takes place at a temple or shrine.  Hatsumode is the first temple or shrine visit of the New Year.  Japanese can be found in huge numbers on New Year’s Day at a shrine or temple to pray or wish for prosperity, good health, safety, happiness or whatever good fortune they wish to have in the New Year.

         In Hawaii, there are New Year celebrations on several islands.  Oahu celebrates New Year’s Eve with several blocks of live performance stages, DJs, street food and street entertainers along Waikiki.  At midnight, Waikiki lights up the night with a fireworks show to bring in the New Year.   Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai also have similar celebrations on their islands.    Just be sure to shout out a cheerful and hearty “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!” or “Happy New Year” to your friends, family and neighbors.

         In Hawaii, if your Japanese lady friend wishes to celebrate Japanese traditions on New Year’s it is quite easy to make her happy.  You can take her to a restaurant serving toshikoshi soba noodles on New Year’s Eve prior to heading out on the town.  On New Year’s Day you can go with her to many of the temples in Hawaii for hatsumode pray or wish for the both of you to continue your good fortune, love and happiness into the New Year.

         We wish you a Happy New Year and the best in 2019!

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