Chinese cakes are not the only desserts enjoyed in Japan during the Lunar New Year. Japanese wagashi-ya (sweet shops) also help welcome the new year with wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shaped into the year’s Chinese zodiac animal. Japanese bakeries also often bake small Western-style cakes in the shape of that year’s animal. Just like Lunar New Year itself, the Chinese zodiac has influences in Japan’s New Year celebrations. In Japanese, this is referred to as jūnishi (十二支, twelve branches) or eto (干支, sexagenary cycle) and is also used in fortune telling. However, the animals also play a central role in the New Year celebrations of any given year. To cut short, it seems like the main difference between the Japanese New Year and Chinese New Year for this aspect is that the Japanese start giving Otoshidama to younger relatives when they start a full-time job and the Chinese start giving red packets to younger relatives when they are married. 3. New Year’s Eve We call it "Eto/えと". In kanji 干支. ・今年は蛇年です。/ことしは、へびどしです。 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. Japan’s new year holiday is every January 1st in alignment with western calendars. In fact, Chinese New Year is known as 旧正月, or “old/former new year.” The Japanese switched to the Gregorian calendar in the Meiji era, when the entire country was modernized due to western influences. Upcoming Chinese New Year + Zodiac animals. 2023 Year of the Rabbit 2024 Year of the Dragon 2025 Year of Snake 2026 Year of Horse . Chinese New Year in Japan. Back in time, Japan also used the same traditional lunar calendar as China, hence the country historically celebrated New Year’s at the same period of time. Lunar new year — also known as Chinese New Year or Chinese Lunar New Year — is not only famous across East Asian countries, but also the world. It’s celebrated around late January to early February, which is the start of the new lunar calendar that bases its months on moon phases, meaning that all the countries which follow the lunar calendar join in with their own cultural version of The Chinese lunar New Year started on February 10. Yokohama Chinatown in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, is bustling with activity. This year is the Year of the Dragon. To this day, the Lunar New Year celebration is centered around removing bad luck and welcoming all that is good and prosperous. Red is considered an auspicious color to ring in the new year. In many Asian cultures, the color symbolizes good fortune and joy. What Are Some Japanese New Year Traditions? Japanese New Year traditions are rich and symbolic. They include “Joya no Kane,” the ringing of temple bells 108 times to purify the soul, “Hatsumode,” visiting shrines or temples to pray for good fortune, and enjoying traditional foods like “osechi ryori” and “ozoni,” each with unique meanings. However, in towns like Okinawa and on some southern islands in Japan, people put flags out and eat the traditional soba for New Year. How Japanese Celebrate The New Year. In the Japanese language, New Year’s Eve is best known as 大晦日 (Ōmisoka). 晦 (miso) was originally written as 三十 (meaning 30). Lunar New Year is called Tết in Vietnam.Adults give small red envelopes filled with cash, called lì xì, to children.Certain special foods such as banh chung (savory rice cakes) are served, and We call many countries different things than they call themselves. We do this because of tradition. The Japanese, as an example, don't really mind, so they consider Japan an official translation of the name of their country. The name originates from the Chinese pronunciation of the two letters that are pronounced "Nihon" in Japanese. So why doesn’t Japan celebrate the Lunar New Year along with its neighbors? Japan Used to Celebrate the Lunar New Year (A visit to a local temple on New Year’s Day. Image: taka1022/Shutterstock.) The Chinese lunisolar calendar was introduced to Japan in the sixth century CE, and it was the principal method of timekeeping in Japan until 1873. At home, we speak Cantonese. We just call it “new years” in Cantonese. No “Chinese” no “lunar.” But growing up, all my fellow classmates like to say “Chinese New Year” around this time of the year just to be racist and make fun of me and I’ve just come to accept it since no matter where I go, that’s what everyone used to call it. The second New Year is on the first day of the Lunar New Year, in line with the rest of the world. These celebrations are on a smaller scale but also incorporate elements of indigenous and Chinese culture. Lastly, the third and final New Year’s celebration takes place on the 16th day of the Lunar New Year, or Jūrukunichi in Okinawan. 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. An annual celebration event is taking place today to mark a fresh start for many. The Chinese New Year is now upon us, with celebrations and festivities expected to take place all over the world Japanese patisseries celebrate the new year with wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) fashioned in the shape of the Chinese zodiac animal of that year. Japanese bakeries also bake tiny Western-style cakes in the shape of New Year’s animals. Celebrate Chinese New Year in Japan for an Entertaining & Enriching Experience
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