New Year's Day
元日
The first day of the year and Japan’s most important holiday period, centered on family, shrines, and quiet beginnings.
- This year
- Jan 1 (Thu)
- January 1
History
元日 marks the start of 正月 (shōgatsu), historically the most important stretch of the Japanese year. Lunar-calendar New Year was observed for centuries; Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1873, fixing the holiday on January 1. The day became a statutory national holiday under the Act on National Holidays. Customs such as visiting shrines or temples (初詣), eating osechi cuisine, and sending nengajō New Year cards grew around the idea of welcoming toshigami, the year deity.
How it is observed
Many people spend the day with family, eat special New Year foods, and make a first shrine or temple visit. Television specials and quiet streets are common; businesses and government offices are closed.
Travel tips
Expect widespread closures from roughly December 31 through January 3. Trains still run but with holiday schedules; book hotels early for Tokyo, Kyoto, and ski areas. Hatsumōde crowds peak at Meiji Jingū, Fushimi Inari, and other famous shrines — go early morning or later in the week if you want space.
Related shrines & temples
Places often visited around this day — open a shrine page or search the directory.