BLOG

In Japan, at the end of the year, there is a time called "Nenmatsu-Nenshi" (年末年始), which means "Year-end & Year-begin"). Nenmatsu-Nenshi starts during the last weekend of December and lasts until a few days into the new year. This year, 年末年始 will start on Friday, 27 December 2024, and will end on Sunday, 04 January 2025. It is a busy and festive time to clean, close out (and forget) the old year and then make a fresh start to the new year. Note: The articles linked below provide a lot of information on Japanese New Year's traditions and activities. In Yokosuka, most schools will start winter holidays on 26 December, so the local shopping streets and malls become crowded with both adults and children buying supplies and presents for family reunions. Izakaya pubs and traditional eateries also become very busy hosting groups of customers for "Bo-nen-kai" (忘年会) parties (Bo-nen-kai means: A get-together to forget the old year). On 31 December (大晦日, Oh-miso-ka -- New Years Eve), an outdoors festival is held at Verny Park, located about a 10 minutes' walk from the main gate of the Navy base (CFAY). The event is called the Yokosuka Countdown, and after stage performances during the evening, at midnight, the New Year is greeted with fireworks and naval ships in the nearby harbor blowing their horns. (For more details, please click on the link at the bottom). On 01 January, many Japanese will flock to the stores in Yokosuka's downtown area and buy "Fuku-bukuro" (福袋), which are bags filled with a random assortment of goods and sold at a substantial discount, often 50% or more off the list price of the items inside. The contents of each bag are usually unknown to the buyer, adding an element of surprise and excitement. Finally, from 27~31 December, the way to say: "Have a Happy New" is: "Yoi O-toshi Oh" (よいお年を), and from 01~06 January, you say: "A-ke-mashi-te Omedeto" (明けましておめでとう). We hope you will enjoy Nenmatsu-Nenshi in Japan!

- - - - -

New Years (Nenmatsu-Nenshi) in Japan

Japanese New Year

12 Essential Japanese New Year's Family Traditions - Savvy Tokyo

Ring in 2024–25: Top 10 New Year's Events & Countdown Parties in Tokyo (With Train Schedules) | LIVE JAPAN travel guide

Yokosuka New Year's Eve Countdown Festival

Yokosuka Countdown 2025 | Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Fireworks & Illuminations