Japanese New Year Holiday Facts. Don't Get Caught Out At This Busy Time Of Year!

So what's the worry about Japanese New Year being busy? It can't be that different to normal can it?

Yes it can! It's a fact that Japanese people will travel right the way across Japan if necessary to be with their family at this special time of year. It's all part of the Japanese tradition. Family should celebrate together.

If you're planning a Tokyo vacation during this festival, book ahead and reserve your seats. Why? The bullet train gets fully booked at Japanese New Year with even standing room reaching capacity. If that happens you're going nowhere fast and it could mean you miss out getting to the places you want to vist. Not much fun! Get your reservations in place and you can get on with enjoying the atmosphere and celebrations at this unique New Year event.

What else do you need to know to avoid disappointment at this time of year?

Well at Japanese New Year most local businesses and shops will be closed and the cost of travel can double or even triple compared to other times of year. No joke. Again booking in advance as much as you can will help you have more cash in your wallet for when you get here : ) Check out our Tokyo hotel options here.

Besides making all your necessary reservations in advance, you're also going to nee you carry enough cash on you at Japanese New Year. Why? Japan is still very much a cash based society and attitudes to cash are different to those back home. Sometimes it's hard to get money out of the ATMs at New Year and many Tokyo banks are closed for the whole period.

Has Japanese New Year always been at the same time of year?

New Year, or Oshogatsu in Japanese, used to follow the lunar calendar in the same way as many other Asian countries still do today, including China, Korea and Vietnam.

Originally, the celebration took place in early Spring. The exact date would change from year to year according to the cycles of the moon. However, since 1873, Japan has adopted the Western Gregorian calendar. Although the rituals and ceremonies haven't changed, New Year is now celebrated on January 1st.

What kind of decorations will you see in Japan?

During Japanese New Year you will see many houses and shops with bamboo and pine decorations called kadomatsu on either side of doorways and entrances to buildings.

Ropes with white, zig zag streamers, which are usually only seen in temple or shrine grounds, are also strung across doorways.

Oshogatsu is a very special time in Japan. New Year means a chance for new beginnings and the pine and bamboo represent the shared wish that this year be strong, resilient, and full of life.

New Year decorations are put in place a few days before the celebrations start and stay on display for 14 days.

The build up to the New Year means lots of bonenkai - or year end parties.

Another tradition is an event called a 'bonenkai', or end of year party. Many companies hold a bonenkai for their employees while students, housewives, friends, etc. form their own groups to celebrate.

These are loud affairs with as much drinking and as much eating as you can handle. Tokyo izakayas, the local type of Japanese pub, fill up quickly with people from all walks of life.

During the month of December, it's often necessary to book a table for larger groups of people as many places will be full to capacity. Enjoy it - it's a lot of fun!