Gift-giving is a common practice in Japan, occurring in various contexts. Oseibo is a traditional gift given at the end of the year to express gratitude towards superiors, customers, and teachers for their exceptional services. In contrast, Bonenkai is a celebration held among colleagues and bosses. This event, known as the “Forget-the-year party,” allows individuals to release negative memories from the previous year and embrace the upcoming one with renewed tranquility.
During parties, bosses typically encourage their staff to let loose and be less formal (Breiko). In Japan, workplace relationships are usually strict, with different expressions for each word in the Japanese language. Polite and modest words are used in formal situations, such as in a workplace.
Imagine Hanazono shrine. Omisoka is New Year’s Eve, which is a significant event in Japan. People also celebrate the Eve because the New Year is the country’s biggest celebration.
In preparation for the New Year, people dedicate themselves to various activities like cleaning and shopping. This winter cleaning, similar to spring cleaning, serves the purpose of eliminating accumulated dirt from the previous year so as to welcome the upcoming year with a refreshed and peaceful mindset.
Furthermore, on Omisoka, individuals accomplish all remaining tasks for the year and also prepare special dishes known as Osechi-ryori for the New Year. In addition, during the night, people indulge in Toshikoshi-soba – a dish consisting of brown noodles in broth. They stay awake until midnight in order to listen to 108 chimes emanating from a nearby temple bell.
The noodle is a homophone for a term that means “being close” and thus symbolizes the arrival of the New Year. The 108 chimes called Joya-no-kane signal the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year. It is believed to free people from the 108 worldly sins. Shogatsu, the celebration of the New Year, is the most significant holiday in Japan. Entrances are adorned with a Shimekezari, which is a twisted straw rope with fern leaves, an orange, and other auspicious objects.
During the holiday season, families gather in their hometown to spend time together. One of the traditions is celebrating the New Year with various delicacies such as sweet sake called Toso, a soup known as Zoni, and Osechi-ryori. Additionally, people give special allowances called Otoshidama to their children, nephews, and nieces during this time. Toy shops take advantage of this busy season to attract children who want to spend their Otoshidama. Furthermore, individuals send numerous greeting cards to wish a happy New Year to their relatives, friends, business acquaintances, and customers.
The post offices in Japan have a unique tradition of gathering and retaining New Year’s cards, which they deliver collectively on the New Year’s Day. This custom offers a wonderful opportunity to sustain relationships with old friends and acquaintances. During the period from New Year’s Day until January 3rd, shrines across Japan are bustling with visitors. People go to shrines to pray for their families’ well-being, happiness, and longevity. Many individuals don traditional Kimono clothing while also purchasing Omamori charms for good luck. These charms act as protection against illnesses, accidents, and disasters.
The expression “Happy New Year” is translated as “Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu” in Japanese. The Japanese New Year is an annual festival with its own customs. The days leading up to it are busy, especially Omisoka, the day before. Since 1873, the Japanese New Year has been celebrated on January 1st according to the Gregorian calendar. This coincides with New Year’s Day in areas that follow this calendar. In Okinawa, the cultural New Year is still celebrated similarly to the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese New Years.
Before the Meiji Period, the Japanese New Year was determined using the Chinese lunar calendar. This lunar calendar is still utilized for the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese New Years. However, in 1873, which was five years following the Meiji Restoration, Japan shifted to the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, January 1st became both the official and cultural New Year’s Day.
In the Ryukyu Islands, a distinct cultural New Year is still observed based on the Chinese lunar calendar. In Japan, the most significant and widely celebrated part of the holiday season is New Year’s day called O-Shogatsu. It is a busy period starting from December 24th when schools close until January 1st. Before the New Year, Japanese individuals engage in thorough house cleaning and adornment with decorations like Kadomatsu made of bamboo, pine branches, and strips of white folded paper. After cleaning and decorating their houses, everyone focuses on preparing traditional New Year’s food.
One of the most important New Year’s foods is Mochi. In our neighborhood, we have a mochi-tsuki party every year and make our own mochi. We gather on a Sunday morning in an empty lot where someone starts to cook rice on an open fire. Once the rice is cooked, it is placed in a special wooden dish and pounded with a big wooden hammer by all the neighbors taking turns. This process continues until the rice mixture forms a large dough ball. Afterwards, everyone participates in rolling small mochi balls which are then enjoyed with various sweet or salty sauces and toppings.
On New Year’s Eve, Japanese people spend time at home with their family. They eat, play games, and watch special New Year’s shows on television. Just before midnight, people can also watch temple ceremonies on t.v. where a huge gong is stuck 108 times to wipe away the 108 sins of the past year. Although Christmas cards exist in Japan, most people send traditional New Year’s postcards called Nengajyo. Some people send hundreds of them. This custom is very nice because if you post your cards by a special date in December, the post office will deliver them all bright and early on the 1st of January.
When you wake up on that day, your mailbox is filled with joyous greetings for you. After enjoying a New Year’s breakfast, individuals put on their kimonos to attend either the shrine or temple, seeking prosperity and good health in the upcoming year. This initial visit to the temple holds great significance. Following the prayers, people explore the temple market. Within the temple grounds, various booths and small shops are arranged, offering traditional delicacies, cotton candy, balloons, toys, and souvenirs related to the temple. Additionally, Daruma dolls can be obtained at the temple market.
Daruma are papier-mache figures of various sizes with two big white eye spots. They are traditionally used for making New Year’s resolutions. Upon purchasing a Daruma, the buyer uses a magic marker to blacken in one of the eyes while forming a resolution. If they successfully achieve their wish during the year, they can then blacken the other eye to indicate their success. At the end of the year, people return their used Darumas to the temple for a special burning ceremony and purchase new ones. Following their visit to the temple, Japanese individuals go back to their homes to enjoy various activities such as eating, playing traditional games, and simply relaxing. Children engage in kite flying and playing with wooden tops, while adults participate in poetry games and practice calligraphy.
One of the most significant holiday traditions for Japanese children is O-toshidama, which involves receiving small envelopes filled with money from parents and other relatives. Despite the differences in Japanese holidays compared to those in America and Europe, O-toshidama shares similarities with Christmas as children must behave well throughout the year to receive it. Achur, Adam, and Alex, originally from Latham, NY, moved to Tsukuba, Japan with their family in 1991. As the only foreign students in their small Japanese school, their initial year was challenging; however, they have now become fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Japanese.
Their younger sibling, Alex, who is 4 years old, recently started Japanese Yochien (kindergarten) and he absolutely loves it! This information was originally published in the Holiday 1993 issue of ZuZu.
New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) holds great significance in Japan as it is considered the most important holiday. During this time, businesses typically close their operations from January 1 to January 3, allowing families to come together and spend these days collectively. Each year signifies a fresh start and is seen as distinct from the previous one. Thus, it is customary for all tasks and responsibilities to be completed by the end of the year. Furthermore, bonenkai parties, also referred to as “year forgetting parties,” are organized with the aim of leaving behind worries and troubles from the past year.
Homes and entrance gates are adorned with decorations made of pine, bamboo, and plum trees, while clothes and houses are diligently cleaned. On New Year’s eve, people enjoy toshikoshi soba, buckwheat noodles that symbolize longevity. A relatively recent tradition is watching the music show “kohaku uta gassen,” a highly popular television program that showcases spectacular performances by many of Japan’s most famous J-pop and enka singers. January 1 holds immense significance as it marks the start of a new year. It is customary to begin the day by observing the first sunrise, known as “hatsu-hinode,” which is believed to set the tone for the entire year ahead.
The day of shogatsu is meant to be a joyful and stress-free occasion, with cleanliness and no work. It is customary to visit a shrine or temple during this time, specifically during hatsumode. Notably, popular temples and shrines like Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine attract millions of visitors over the course of the three days. The most impressive visits occur at the start of the new year, when large temple bells are rung at midnight. During shogatsu, various special dishes are served, including osechi ryori, otoso (sweetened rice wine), and ozoni (a soup with mochi).
The popularity of traditional games played on New Year has decreased recently. Examples of these games include Hanetsuki (Japanese badminton), takoage (kite flying), and karuta (a card game). Another tradition is sending specially marked New Year’s cards to be delivered on January 1. It is typical for individuals to send out numerous cards to friends, relatives, and co-workers. Visiting Japan during the New Year holidays can be both rewarding and frustrating as there is a page on the site that summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of visiting Japan during this time. Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in our question forum. The Japanese celebrate the New Year in a grand manner. Although the official date is January 1st, the season itself extends from December 31st to January 3rd. Preparations for this festive period start in mid-December, with people getting ready to send New Year’s postcards, also known as nengajo. These can be purchased from the Japanese Postal Service and are sent to business clients, acquaintances, friends, and family members. Business cards are typically professionally printed at a print shop while those for family and friends are often handmade.
For those with large mailing lists, it is common to delegate the task of creating all cards. The nengajo usually showcase caricatures of the animal representing the approaching year and a customary New Year’s greeting. The sender often adds a brief handwritten note on the card’s back expressing gratitude for past support and wishing for continued assistance in the upcoming year. Cards are not sent to individuals who have suffered a family member’s loss during the previous year.
Postcards are sent by people who have lost a loved one during the year, asking that they not receive nengajo cards in advance. A list is typically kept to determine who should receive cards and who should not. Nengajo cards are typically mailed before the end of the year, although it is considered acceptable to send them until January 15th. It is important to adhere to this deadline because often cards are received from individuals who have not been sent cards. The Postal Service delivers these cards on New Year’s Day and hires part-time students to help handle the large volume of cards received each year.
Considering that each Japanese person sends anywhere from 20 to several hundred cards, it becomes clear that additional assistance is needed to deliver these cards. As the year comes to a close, people start cleaning their homes and workplaces in preparation for the New Year. This is a time of extensive cleaning, with even temples dusting off their Buddhist images. News programs often feature the cleaning of significant Buddhist images like the Nara Great Buddha (Nara Daibutsu), where monks climb the images to clean them. New Year’s Eve is a significant event and a highlight of the season.
Buckwheat noodles, also known as toshikoshi soba, are consumed during the day or evening to ensure prosperity and longevity. They can be enjoyed at a sobaya (buckwheat noodle shop) or at home. On New Year’s Eve, many families come together to watch the Red and White Song Festival (Kohaku uta gassen), which is televised by NHK, the national television station.
The Song Festival, which celebrated its 48th broadcast in 1997, showcases singers whose songs were popular during the previous year. It has become an annual tradition almost synonymous with New Year’s. Another beloved New Year’s Eve program is the Record Awards show, which had its 39th broadcast in 1997. As the night progresses, some families may head to their local Shinto shrine to welcome the New Year. Others who wish to visit more renowned shrines will have already reached their destinations and will be exploring the various stands set up along the shrine pathways.
At midnight, Buddhist temples toll 108 peals on bells to ring in the New Year. TV stations broadcast this tradition from various major shrines, showing the ringing of massive temple bells. At the shrines, people gather near the main altar. They toss coins and paper money at the shrine’s doorsteps as an offering. Afterward, they clap their hands to summon the gods and pray. At local shrines with accessible entrances, people place their offering in an offertory box. They then pull a cord attached to a bell hanging from the rafter in front of the box, followed by clapping hands and praying.
Following their prayers, numerous individuals will receive their fortune from one of the stalls operated by shrine maidens wearing white kimonos. Upon paying a nominal fee to participate, a container filled with bamboo sticks imprinted with numbers is vigorously shaken until one stick emerges through the top hole. The shrine maiden then examines the number and provides the seeker with a paper displaying a fortune that corresponds to the number on the stick. After perusing the fortune, many individuals proceed to attach it to a branch of a nearby tree at the shrine.
Before leaving the shrine, visitors may purchase amulets or charms, such as arrows, for good luck. These charms typically last for a year and there are designated areas within the shrine compound where visitors can dispose of their old charms from the previous year. These discarded charms are then ceremonially burned after the New Year’s season. Once back home, or after celebrating the New Year at home, weary celebrants go to bed, hoping to dream of auspicious symbols like a hawk, Mt. Fuji, or an eggplant, believed to bring good fortune for the upcoming year.
Waking up before dawn is also seen as significant because observing the initial sunrise of the year is believed to bring about a favorable and appropriate beginning for the New Year. Furthermore, television networks, which have been airing nonstop throughout the night, showcase images of the first sunrise appearing in different parts of Japan. New Year’s day is a calm day where the majority of adults remain at home, either watching television or writing New Year’s cards. Children receive monetary gifts on New Year’s day, so it is common for young children to visit nearby toy or candy stores that stay open in anticipation of this tradition.
The children receive money in special envelopes and the parents carefully keep track of the amounts given by others. On the 2nd and 3rd days of the New Year, people visit friends, go shopping (as some retail stores have started opening on the 2nd due to the economy), or watch television. Many people also visit teachers of traditional cultural arts like flower arrangement and martial arts during this time. The food during the New Year is usually special too.
Traditionally, New Year’s food is typically stored in lacquered boxes that can be nested inside one another. These boxes contain food items that have a long shelf life and can serve as a substitute for cooking during the holiday season. The specific contents of these boxes vary from one region to another, but commonly included items are candied black beans, fish eggs with seaweed, dasheens, kelp, and fish. Another regional favorite during New Year’s is a soup called ozoni. In Western Japan, this soup usually has a base made of soybean paste, resulting in a whitish appearance. On the other hand, in Eastern Japan, the soup is typically made with fish stock, giving it a clear broth-like consistency.
This soup is typically consumed on New Year’s Day, making it a dish that is more focused on family. Those visiting during the New Year can expect to be served a small dish of Japanese sake. Individuals who enjoy alcoholic drinks are encouraged to indulge in their favorite beverages, and it is not uncommon to see many intoxicated individuals heading home via trains or streets during this time. There are numerous ways of welcoming in the New Year, which cannot all be covered in this short article that serves as a brief introduction to the Japanese New Year.
Some people celebrate the holiday by going abroad, while others go to the ski slopes. Some people enjoy ‘neshogatsu’, which means ‘sleeping through the New Years’ and involves quietly sleeping and relaxing at home. For the Japanese, Oshogatsu (New Year) is the most significant celebration of the year. It is a festive occasion filled with positive emotions and nostalgia. This year, the number of Japanese spending New Year’s overseas is the lowest in 17 years.
The Japanese New Year’s celebrations originated from traditions related to the seasonal changes, which hold great significance in Japanese agriculture. These New Year’s festivities are widely observed and cherished in Japan, commencing on New Year’s eve with the customary ringing of the joya no kane (end-of-the-year bell) at nearby Buddhist temples. These tolls symbolize the departure of 108 bonno, or worldly worries of the previous year, which according to Buddhist doctrine, afflict humanity with suffering.
During this ceremony, each toll is struck after the reverberations from the preceding toll have dissipated. The last peal of the bell is struck at midnight, coinciding with the first few seconds of the New Year; thus a new beginning dawns, enabling the start of a prosperous and joyous year. Throughout most of its history, Japan went by the lunar calendar, so the holiday would fall at different dates on the Gregorian calendar. But these days, New Year’s is observed on January 1. The Japanese New Year’s holiday used to last several days; now it’s been trimmed down to just three.
New Year’s Eve is dedicated to kite flying and various enjoyable activities. January 1 and 2 are designated as days of celebration. Many Japanese households, as well as Japanese families residing in the United States, continue to adhere to ancient customs dating back to the Edo period in the 17th century. In Japan, New Year’s resolutions are made with the aim of attaining prosperity and happiness in the future. In order to fully enjoy the holiday, any pending matters are resolved at the end of the year; houses are tidied, debts are settled, and meals are prepared in advance.
On New Year’s morning, family members rise early and put on new clothing before visiting the family shrine. They then enjoy a breakfast of ozoni, a traditional soup made in various regional styles. Afterwards, they toast for good fortune with otoso, a sweet sake brewed with cinnamon and other spices, which is believed to prevent sickness. Throughout the day, friends and family make visits to one another, as the New Year is seen as a time of forgiveness and cordiality. As the end of the year approaches in Japan, the streets and homes become adorned with customary symbols of the New Year.
The symbols used in Japan are often rooted in the traditions of Shinto, Buddhism, and folklore. One such symbol is the kudomatsu, also known as the “gate-pine.” This arrangement consists of pine, bamboo, and sometimes plum blossom. It is placed on both sides of a house’s entrance to protect against evil and promote fertility, growth, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges and aging. The pine symbolizes strength, longevity, and youthful optimism, while the bamboo represents resilience, uprightness, rapid growth, and deep devotion. It can sway with the wind without breaking.
The apricot or plum remains strong during the winter season, producing sweet blossoms despite the cold and snowy weather. They are seen as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity and are considered a auspicious sign for fertility. Kazunoko (herring roe) and ikura (red salmon roe) are also associated with fertility and must be present on the holiday table. The kadomatsu represents the hope of the household for vitality, longevity, and strength in the upcoming year for all family members. The shimenawa is made of fresh rice-straw arranged in a specific manner to create a rope.
The shimenawa is a sacred ornament placed at the house entrance or over cooking stoves during the oshogatsu season in the Shinto tradition. It signifies a sacred area and serves as a barrier against evil. The colors white and red are particularly preferred, symbolizing innocence and purity, as well as the vibrant energy of the sun. While preparing the traditional Japanese New Year’s feast requires significant time in the kitchen, it is recommended to prepare most of the dishes well in advance.
Both shabu-shabu and mixed sushi are enjoyable options for New Year’s dinners. In shabu-shabu, diners cook their own meals in a communal pan placed in the center of the table, choosing from paper-thin sliced beef, fish, and vegetables on the table. Similarly, mixed sushi is a do-it-yourself preparation where the host or cook must do extensive preparation. Each diner is provided with mori (seaweed squares), sushi rice, and small bowls containing wasabi and dipping sauce. They can then create their own sushi by selecting various foods from a bountiful tray.
Since the god of the New Year is responsible for the rice crop, a sake offering is also very appropriate. It’s all part of osechi, or offering food to the gods and ensuring a healthy, prosperous and wise year ahead. We all raise our sake cups to that! Japan has adopted the solar calendar since 1873 and the New Year celebration starts on January 1. However, in rural Japan, villagers continue to follow the lunar calendar and Oshogatsu is the Lunar New Year. The New Year celebration lasts for five to six days.
The New Year is filled with symbolism representing new beginnings, bringing a sense of renewal. Buddhist temples in Japan commemorate the hardships of the previous year by ringing bells 108 times, marking the transition from old to new. Oshogatsu, a time of peace and resolutions, is celebrated on New Year’s Day, during which Japanese people take the day off work to rest and spend time with family. They also visit temples to pray for a prosperous and healthy year ahead, with the initial temple visit referred to as “Hatsu Mohde,” meaning the first visit.
On New Year’s Day, the tradition in Japanese families is to begin the year with a breakfast of “mochi” or rice cake served in a stew known as “Ozoni.” Making mochi rice cakes by pounding rice is a common activity. However, nowadays many Japanese families prefer to purchase them from supermarkets. Like other Asian New Year customs, adults give money to children as a “otoshi-dama” or “new year treasure.” Additionally, children partake in various games to welcome the New Year, such as “Furuwarai,” which is similar to the American game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. The New Year is also associated with numerous “good luck” charms.
Cranes and turtles are traditional symbols of longevity and happiness in Japanese culture. As a way to bring peace and happiness during the New Year, houses are adorned with origami cranes. The arrival of the New Year in Japan is always celebrated in a grand manner. The festivities begin on New Year’s Eve, when the Japanese welcome the New Year God Toshigami. After the worship, the cleaning of the house takes place. At midnight, the Buddhist temple rings its bell 108 times to herald the arrival of the New Year, in a ceremony known as Joya No Kane. Interestingly, there are believed to be 108 elements in a human mind.
The elements are paid tribute to by ringing the bell 108 times. The Red and White Year-end Song Festival is a popular television show in Japan that is broadcasted during New Year and has been running for the past 60 years. This show features a contest of songs between male and female performers and is known as Kohaku Uta Gassen. The Japanese New Year is celebrated on January 1st every year according to the Gregorian calendar, and it is considered the most important day in the Japanese Calendar. After the Meiji period, the Japanese started following the Gregorian calendar.
Previously, they followed the Chinese calendar, but now the 2012 Japanese New Year will also be celebrated on January 1st. In Japan, it is customary to eat osechi during the New Year. Osechi is a dish that consists of boiled seaweed, fish cake, mashed potato, chestnut, burdock root, and sweet black soybeans. The culinary traditions of Japan are noteworthy, particularly during this holiday season when many dishes are sweet, sour, and dried. One special treat made specifically for the New Year is the Japanese rice cakes known as Mochi. Additionally, according to Japanese culture and tradition, it is customary to send New Year cards to relatives, friends, co-workers, and family members.
It is necessary to mail the New Year card in mid December so that it arrives on time. The New Year is annually celebrated with joy and hope. Some choose to stay at home and enjoy time with their family, while others prefer to spend the holiday outside. A common tradition in Japan is to give money to young people on New Year’s Day, known as otoshidama. Many Japanese visit shrines or temples during this time to pray for good health, happiness, wealth, and prosperity. This practice is called hatsumoude. The New Year Celebration in Japan
January 01 is a global New Year celebration, including Japan, where it is celebrated until January 03. In Japan, this day is known as Hatsumoude and is marked by visiting traditional temples dressed in kimono to worship for good health and wealth. People also purchase Omamori talismans for luck in the family. January 01 is considered the most significant day in the Japanese calendar and is referred to as shogatsu or oshogatsu. During this time, the entire business sector in Japan is closed from January 01 to January 03.
In Japan and other East Asian nations, the New Year is a highly significant holiday. It is worth noting that the 24 hours of the day also correspond to these “animals”. While Christmas is celebrated in Japan similarly to the Western traditions, New Year’s is considered the more important holiday. Previously, before the Meiji Restoration, the New Year was observed according to the Chinese lunar calendar (specifically on January 23 in 2012). Although the calendar continues to influence festivals and celebrations today, most people now celebrate the Gregorian calendar change as the official New Year.
In Japan, the arrival of the New Year is a busy time characterized by various preparations. This includes cleaning one’s house and procuring or cooking osechi (a type of traditional food) to honor the “god of new life.” Additionally, individuals participate in the custom of sending New Year’s cards to friends, relatives, and associates, resulting in a surge of activity at the Post Office. The rail and air terminals also experience overcrowding as people endeavor to return to their hometowns in order to spend the New Year’s night and daybreak with their loved ones. To express their well wishes for the upcoming year, the Japanese greet each other by saying “Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!” (pronounced ah-keh-mah-shteh oh-meh-deh-toe go-zah-ee-mahss).
In ancient lore (under the lunar calendar), the New Year was seen in relation to change in both the sun and moon as well as the symbolism of their luminance. The meaning(s) of the phrase “Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu” may be somewhat complicated, but (roughly translated) may include the following: “The year is changing… darkness gives way to light… new life begins… Congratulations!” Following tradition, many Japanese on New Year’s morning brave the cold to find places with unobstructed views of the Eastern Horizon and eagerly await the rising sun… the break of day… the symbol of new life… the first day of the New Year.
The Vernal Equinox is eagerly awaited in these latitudes as the sun makes its journey back to the North. In 2008, the New Year marked the beginning of another 12-year cycle in the Chinese calendar. This calendar is based on the positions of Jupiter and its 12-year orbit, which determines its position about the ecliptic. It is also associated with 12 clockwise geocentric directions, starting with North, and named after animals. Although the lunar calendar is no longer officially used in Japan, the tradition of using animal names for the 12 directions and associated years is popularly maintained in the “New Style”.
If you are in Japan during New Year, you have the opportunity to participate in hatsumode, which is the first visit of the year to a shrine or temple. Festivities for hatsumode take place at almost every shrine and temple throughout Japan. At popular shrines and temples, you can enjoy a lively atmosphere with food stands and many people waiting in line to pray at the main hall. Additionally, visitors can purchase lucky charms for a prosperous new year and dispose of their lucky charms from the previous year. One of the most captivating experiences is visiting a temple around midnight on New Year’s eve, when the temple’s bell is repeatedly rung.
Popular shrines and temples like Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka, and Tsuruoka Hachimangu in Kamakura collectively draw over a million visitors during the initial days of the new year. Be prepared to wait in line for over an hour at the popular hatsumode sites to enter the offering hall and offer a prayer.
It is one of only two occasions during the year when the inner grounds of the palace are open to the public. The other occasion is the Emperor’s birthday on December 23. The Emperor and family members are scheduled to appear on a glass-protected balcony at specific times throughout the day, including 10:10, 11:00, 11:50, 12:40, 13:30, and 14:20. They will wave and briefly speak to the crowd who will be waving flags. Transportation is busy during the New Year holidays, both domestically and internationally, as many people visit their families in rural areas or take trips within their own country or abroad.
During the travel season, which typically occurs from December 29 to December 31 for outbound travel and from January 2 to January 4 for inbound travel, urbanites, particularly those in Tokyo, often leave the big cities causing congestion on trains, airports, and expressways. For the upcoming travel season in 2012/2013, the peak travel period is expected to be
