The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year is usually celebrated between late January and February, during the first new moon. This year, it will be on Wednesday, January 2025. But if you’re in Japan, you may be wondering, “Does Japan celebrate Chinese New Year?” Here’s what you should know. Does Japan Celebrate Chinese New Year? The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 4, 2025) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, it’s called renri/jan jat (the people’s birthday). In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. What is the Lunar New Year? The Lunar New Year — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in According to the Chinese Zodiac, the year 2025 is the year of the snake. This animal has long been regarded in Japan as an auspicious being that brings about good fortune and fertility. Since snakes grow and repeatedly shed their skin, they are also considered to be symbols of rebirth and resurrection, as well as vitality, immortality, infinity Just as New Year celebrations finish in the West, people are gearing up to mark Lunar New Year in the East! 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake, starting from January 29, 2025, to February 16, 2026. Although it did not originate in Japan, the Chinese zodiac, and the 12 animals that represent it, have been embraced by Japanese culture wholeheartedly. During the time of both the New Year on The Lunar New Year marks the transition from one animal to another. The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ends on Tuesday. Wednesday begins the Year of the Snake. January 28: There will be a countdown event (incl. a lion dance) at midnight to usher in the Lunar New Year. January 29 (around 4 p.m.): On Lunar New Year’s Day, there will be the Chinatown Lion Dance where five lions will perform dances all around Chinatown to the tune of firecrackers and drums. February 1 to 2 (from 1 p.m.): Any advice from those who’ve been in Japan during CNY or are familiar with the travelling habits of neighbouring countries during the Chinese New Year period would be much appreciated! I’m planning a trip to Japan in January 2025. Chinese New Year in 2025 is Wednesday 29th January. Don’t feel discouraged if you haven’t been sticking to your 2025 resolutions. According to the lunar calendar, we still have a few more days before we officially enter the 2025 new year, which Here is our annual guide to help you understand New Year customs in Japan. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac. New Year’s Eve - Omisoka (大晦日) Omisoka is the Japanese expression for New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, on January 28, the Tokyo Tower will host the 'Spring Festival Red Light-Up 2025,' converting the iconic structure to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Singer-songwriter Yuutarou Miura is expected to perform with a unique spin on his mother's classic song, 'Thank You, My Love,’ incorporating Chinese lyrics. Japan and China have a long history of exchange. The countries share many cultural traditions, and today there are areas where you can find large numbers of Chinese migrants and their descendants living in enclaves such as the Chukagai (Chinatown areas) of Yokohama Chinatown, Kobe's Nankin-machi, and Nagasaki, as well as modern settlements in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district. The Chinese Zodiac is still a part of Japan’s New Year celebrations to this day. Despite changing to the Gregorian calendar, Japan celebrates the changing of the zodiac on January 1, welcoming any of the 12 animals: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In Japan, Eto - the Chinese zodiac is deeply rooted in New Year's greetings, New Year's cards, traditional culture and events. Each country has its own interpretation and traditions of the Chinese zodiac, and it is used in China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, Russia and other countries. Today’s January 1st means nothing to the Yellow King. If we count that extra eight days in 2698 B.C. for a year, then the year 2025 is the 4723 rd Chinese year. Chinese New Year 2025 World times. Wednesday 29 th January @ 20.35 Hong Kong time. This is the date that Chinese New Year is celebrated. Chinese New Year (Lunar calendar) World times Wondering if Japan joins in on the Chinese New Year festivities? The short answer is no—Japan doesn’t officially celebrate Chinese New Year. Instead, the country follows the Gregorian calendar for its own New Year traditions, called shōgatsu, which kicks off on January 1st. That said, Lunar New Year isn’t entirely absent in Japan! Nankinmachi, Kobe's Chinatown, is a great place to take in the Chinese New Year in Hyogo Prefecture. The neighborhood is even more vibrant that usual with the additional decorations for the holiday. From the creators of Tokyo Cheapo, Japan Cheapo is a site dedicated to helping you get the most from your yen while travelling around Japan. More than 100,000 people visit Japan Cheapo each month for help in planning their trip to Japan. Combined with Tokyo Cheapo, total reach exceeds 850,000. Find and save ideas about 2025 chinese new year on Pinterest. New Year's Illustrations and Decorations Set for 2025, No text ver. (Text translation: “Snake”,“Reiwa 7”,“Happy new year”)Japanese and Chinese New Year. Illustrations of Snake and other ornaments.
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