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For Japanese people, New Year's is a significant event to celebrate the beginning of a new year. In Japan, there is a tradition of gathering with family and loved ones to eat auspicious foods, wishing for a happy year ahead.
 
In this blog post, we will introduce how Japanese people spend their New Year and the traditional foods associated with this festive season. We will also recommend delicious sweets that perfectly complement the joyful atmosphere of New Year's and celebrations. So take a look and use this as your guide!

Have You Tried These Japanese Sweets During New Year’s?

During the New Year, people often enjoy auspicious sweets. Sweets that carry good fortune in their ingredients or shapes are believed to bring blessings. Let's take a look at four recommended sweets from Zelico that are not only delicious, but also considered to bring good luck.
 

1. Happy Fish Cake Selection

In Japan, when it comes to celebrating special occasions, a classic fish to enjoy is “sea bream,” pronounced "tai" in Japanese. The word “medetai” meaning auspicious contains the sound “tai,” and this connection has led to the tradition of enjoying sea bream as a symbol of good luck in Japanese cuisine.

Zelico's Happy Fish Cake Selection features delightful castella cakes shaped like sea bream with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate fillings.
 
With an assortment of three different flavors, it's fun to compare the tastes with family or friends!
 

2. Happy Coming Mochi

The appeal of Japan's traditional sweet “Daifuku” lies in its soft and chewy texture. The name Daifuku in Japanese conveys the meaning of "big fortune," symbolizing the wish for abundant blessings.

Zelico's Happy Coming Mochi is a selection of five varieties of Daifuku. Enjoy a range of Daifuku with different textures, including "Yomogi Mochi" infused with mugwort in the dough, and "Ume Mochi" enveloping plum-flavored sweet bean paste. With charming and colorful appearances, they are perfect for livening up any party.

3.  Shrimp Senbei

Shrimp (Ebi) Senbei has a crispy texture with a firm bite and is packed with rich seafood flavor. Shrimp is a popular symbol of longevity in Japan, due to its curved back and long whiskers resembling an elder.
 
Zelico's Ebi Senbei (Japanese Flavor) is a gift set of six assorted shrimp crackers made from select ingredients. Its savory taste makes it perfect for those who don't have a sweet tooth.

4. Enmusubi Taiyaki

Similar to Happy Fish Cake Selection, these sweets are also shaped like a sea bream. There are four delightful flavors to choose from— red bean paste, custard, matcha, and chocolate. The light tender cake has a gentle sweetness, perfectly complementing the filling inside. Its bite-sized portions make it easy to enjoy, and are a perfect snack for a study or work break.

How Do Japanese People Spend New Year’s?

For Japanese people, New Year's is an important time to celebrate the beginning of a new year and spend quality time with family and loved ones. Typically, from December 13th onwards, people start decorating their homes, including the entrance, with New Year's decorations and begin preparations by engaging in a thorough cleaning to welcome the new year.
 
Many companies and schools have an extended holiday period from the end of the year to the beginning. This is the only time when family members living far away can return home to enjoy each other's company.
 
The most common way for Japanese people to spend New Year's is to relax at home with their family, such as watching TV. Many Japanese people think that it is important to relax and spend time with their families during New Year's, because they are usually busy working during the rest of the year. Given their busy schedules, most people prefer a calm and leisurely New Year celebration at home rather than going out.
 
On the other hand, some people look forward to their first shrine or temple visit (hatsumode), while others may go shopping for the New Year's sales. Some may use the extended holiday and start the new year with a trip. Everyone enjoys in their own way, to ring in the New Year.
 

What Foods Do Japanese People Eat During New Year’s?

New Year's is a time when family and relatives gather to celebrate the New Year. To make the celebration even more festive, Japanese people enjoy unique and auspicious dishes that bring good luck. So, what kind of foods are they?
 
According to the "New Year's Dish Survey" conducted by CCCMK Holdings Co., Ltd. in 2022, the top-ranking dish that people eat every New Year, based on multiple choices, was “ozoni." Ozoni is a traditional Japanese dish with rice cake, chicken, vegetables, etc. simmered in broth seasoned with soy sauce or miso.

In Japan, there is an old tradition of offering rice cakes to the gods during the New Year's. It was believed that by eating rice cakes offered to the gods as ozoni, one would receive strength and vitality from the gods. This tradition of eating ozoni continues to this day, with 64.9% of Japanese surveyed saying they eat ozoni every New Year's.
 

Summary

In this post, we explored how the Japanese celebrate the New Year and introduced delectable treats that bring joy and good fortune. Why not choose Zelico's delightful sweets for your New Year festivities and holidays!