What is Omisoka (New Year's Eve)?

Omisoka (New Year's Eve) is an annual observance in Japan, held every year on December 31. What Is Omisoka? Japan's Traditional Way of Closing Out the Year December 31 is "Omisoka" -- the final day of the year.

When is Omisoka (New Year's Eve)?

Omisoka (New Year's Eve) is observed every year on December 31.

What other anniversaries fall on December 31?

December 31 is also "Cinderella Day", "Soba no Hi (Soba Noodle Day)". See the December 31 page for details.

December 31

Omisoka (New Year's Eve)

Seasonal Events

What Is Omisoka? Japan's Traditional Way of Closing Out the Year

December 31 is "Omisoka" -- the final day of the year. "Misoka" originally meant the last day of any month, and "Omisoka" ("Great Misoka") refers specifically to the last day of the year. In the old lunar calendar, the last day of each month fell on the 30th, but today the term refers to December 31. It's a day for completing preparations to welcome the New Year's deity (Toshigami) and for closing out the year with a sense of gratitude.

Omisoka Traditions and Customs

Toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles): Eating long, thin soba noodles is a wish for a long life and lasting good fortune -- a custom that took root during the Edo period and is unique to Japan.
Joya no Kane (New Year's Eve bells): Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times around midnight, once for each of the 108 worldly desires believed to cause human suffering. Together with the TV program "Yuku Toshi Kuru Toshi" ("The Year Passing, the Year Coming"), it's an iconic symbol of the Japanese New Year.
Kōhaku Uta Gassen: A major televised singing competition broadcast every December 31 by NHK since 1956, beloved as a national tradition.
Final New Year preparations: Finishing osechi (New Year feast dishes), arranging kagami mochi (ceremonial rice cakes), and setting up kadomatsu (pine decorations) at the entrance.

New Year's Eve Around the World

Sydney: Fireworks over the Harbour Bridge mark one of the world's first major New Year's celebrations.
New York: The Times Square ball drop is broadcast live around the globe.
Paris: The Eiffel Tower is lit up and fireworks welcome the new year.

Ideas for Spending Omisoka

Make toshikoshi soba together as a family, talking about the year's events as you eat.
Visit a nearby temple to take part in ringing the New Year's Eve bell.
Plan your route to a shrine for "hatsumōde," the first shrine visit of the New Year.
Write down 10 good things from the past year and close it out with a sense of gratitude.