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? While Chinese children celebrating Lunar New Year receive money in red envelopes with gold lettering, Japanese children celebrating shōgatsu get their money in white and red envelopes (called otoshidama お年玉, or “year’s jewel”). Japanese New Year falls on the 1st of January each year, following the Gregorian calendar. Chinese New Year follows the traditional lunar calendar, for instance, the first day of Chinese New Year this year falls on the 12th of February. What Japanese vs Chinese eat during the New Year The short answer is because the Japanese government does not designate the old lunisolar new year as a public holiday. Officially, China does in fact celebrate New Year's Day (元旦) on the Western (Gregorian) 1 January. In contrast, the traditional lunar new year is a public holiday named Spring Festival (春节). Though Japanese New Year no longer coincides with the Chinese Spring Festival, Japan still uses a 12-year zodiac that is very similar to the Chinese zodiac, and many nengajō feature the New Year’s zodiac animal. Japanese New Year vs Chinese Lunar New Year? Japanese New Year is celebrated on January 1, as per the Gregorian calendar, which began using in 1873. China’s Lunar New Year is celebrated between the first full moon of the new year and early February, giving plenty of time for eating, dancing and parading through Chinatown. In modern Japan, the Gregorian New Year is celebrated, so the Lunar New Year is not a part of most Japanese people’s lives. Most Japanese people are unaware of the Lunar New Year and only hear about it mostly as Chinese New Year on the TV news. What are the animals of the zodiac? Each year honors an animal based on the Chinese zodiac. The circle of 12 animals — the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig — measure the cycles of time. The Ryukyuan people, due to their distinctive culture borrowing elements from Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and especially China, are among the few groups who celebrate the Lunar New Year. They celebrate it three times a year! The first New Year’s celebration is on January 1st, in line with the Japanese tradition. 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. Despite some differences, many Lunar New Year celebrations around the world, whether at the same time as Chinese New Year or not, still do have many striking similarities, largely due to Chinese New Year's massive worldwide influence through the ages. Occasionally, about every 24 years, Korean New Year will occur one day after Chinese New Year because of the new moon between Korea’s midnight (15:00UTC) and China’s midnight (16:00UTC). Okay, so nearly everyone in the world has adopted the Gregorian calendar and thus celebrate new year’s day on January 1st. China wanted to do everything Western, so it celebrated the January 1 New Year. In fact, in 1949, the Communist Party forbade the celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year. However, by the 1980s, new Chinese leaders had a change of heart and allowed the celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year. If you are a cultural buff, it’s worthwhile to have a tour during Chinese Lunar New Year. See our sample tours for some inspiration. Explore China during Chinese Lunar New Year . 9 Days Chinese New Year Tour: Beijing, Xian, Shanghai ; 11 Days North China Ancient Town Exploration Tour: Beijing, Datong, Pingyao, Xian, Shanghai What Major Traditions and Customs Are Associated with Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a time for family reunions, festive meals, and various customs that symbolize good luck and prosperity. Key traditions and customs associated with Chinese New Year include: 1. Reunion Dinner 2. Japanese New Year’s. Japanese New Year’s consist of many activities including watching fireworks and the first sunrise of the new year, sending out greeting cards known as “nengajo” and money gifts known as “otoshidama”, along with hosting or participating in an event called “mochitsuki” to make fresh mochi. Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrates the Lunar New Year, but how are they different? Also, how are their new years connected to the Japanese? This vide After living in China for 3 years as V-Trust Sales Manager and 1 year in Vietnam as V-Trust Country Manager, I am happy to share my experience and feelings, even if, for sure, I don’t know everything and they may not be exhaustive. Chinese New Year and the Vietnamese New Year (called Tết in Vietnam) actually have a lot in common. Lean the Japanese new year traditions. Embark on a cultural odyssey through Japan’s cherished New Year traditions, where ancient customs and modern celebrations intertwine, creating a tapestry of renewal, hope, and good fortune. Ring out the old, ring in the new! Dive into the rich tapestry of Japanese New Year traditi Once the clock strikes midnight, the celebrations of the new year are in full swing. By the next morning, the New Year celebrations are well and truly over. However, a lot of Japan’s Asian neighbors are still yet to ring in the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year is a huge celebration – in fact, it is one of the biggest in the world.
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