NEWS

Hello everyone!

We would like to know how foreigners staying in Japan or living apart from their home country spend and enjoy the New Year's holidays in Japan.

Please let us know how you spend the traditional Japanese New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!


You can feel the “Japaneseness” of the Japanese New Year in many different places, as there are things and customs that you cannot find in other countries.

Many people who are in Japan to study or work may look forward to the Japanese New Year.

On the other hand, those who are spending New Year's in Japan for the first time may be troubled by the differences from the usual, such as holidays and changes in business hours.

In this issue, we will introduce some of the events held during New Year's, how to enjoy them, and things you should do before New Year's so that foreign residents in Japan can enjoy them.

Points to keep in mind when spending Oshogatsu in Japan
During the New Year's holiday, Japan as a whole is on a different schedule than usual.

Especially during the three days of the New Year (January 1-3), many companies are closed, as are city halls and banks. 

Therefore, there is a possibility that the place you were planning to go may be closed or you may not be able to complete necessary procedures.

Year-end Cleaning
In Japan, it is common to do year-end cleaning. In order to greet the New Year, the most important milestone of the year, with a good feeling, people clean their houses and welcome the new year with a refreshed mind and body.

City Hall and Bank Holidays
City hall and bank offices will be closed from December 29 to January 4.

If you need to go to city hall or a bank, please do so by around December 15.

Immigration offices will be closed as well.

Please note that ATMs in some banks and post offices will not be available while bank counters are closed.

If you will need a large amount of cash, it is a good idea to withdraw money as soon as possible.

Also, as the end of the year approaches, banks and post offices will be crowded, so it may take longer than usual.

Supermarkets and other stores where you buy daily necessities are closed
Many supermarkets and drugstores are closed on January 1 these days.

Some may also be closed or have shorter hours on December 31.

In December, stores should post notices about their year-end and New Year's store openings. If you find that the supermarket you usually use will be closed, it is recommended that you buy food for a few days.

Many convenience stores are open during the year-end and New Year
holidays, so it is a good idea to use them when the supermarkets are closed.

Hotels and public transportation will be crowded.

Hotels, inns, and public transportation such as trains and buses are very crowded during the year-end and New Year's holidays.

Many people return home or travel during the New Year's holiday, so it may not be possible to make reservations.

If you wish to travel or return home during the New Year's holiday, make reservations as early as possible.

Also, prices are usually higher during the year-end and New Year's holidays. If you wish to travel, it will be cheaper and less crowded to go at other times of the year.

New Year's greeting card
The last thing I would like to introduce is New Year's greeting cards. In Japan, it is customary to send New Year's greeting cards to those who are indebted to you at the beginning of the year. The current nengajo originated as an alternative to sending letters when people were unable to greet each other in person due to distance or physical condition. In recent years, more and more people are sending electronic versions of nengajo through e-mail and social networking services rather than postcards. Thus, sending each other New Year's greeting cards in various forms as New Year's greetings is part of the Japanese New Year culture.

Conclusion
New Year's is a special time to celebrate the New Year in Japan.

There are special decorations such as kadomatsu and foods that are only available during the New Year.

If you are celebrating the New Year in Japan, you may enjoy going to Hatsumode and trying osechi and ozoni.

On the other hand, city halls and immigration bureaus may be closed and you may not be able to complete necessary procedures; once December arrives, make sure to complete necessary procedures as soon as possible.


It is going to be a fun year-end and New Year's holiday!

Please share this with your friends.

We hope you will continue reading next week.


instagram

realestatejapan