Japanese New Year preparation checklist 2027: Oshogatsu step by step in Japan

The Japanese New Year, or Oshogatsu, is one of the most significant celebrations of the year. Preparing for it in advance is essential to welcome 2027 with harmony, cleanliness, and all traditions in place. This Japanese New Year preparation checklist 2027 will help you organize every detail: from deep cleaning your home (osoji) to preparing traditional dishes like osechi-ryori, as well as symbolic decorations and rituals to attract good luck. Perfect for residents in Japan or those looking to experience the celebration in an authentic local style.

Why start early (and how Foco can help)

In Japan, preparations for the New Year begin in mid-December, with tight deadlines for shopping, reservations, and cleaning. Use this checklist in Foco to divide tasks by area (home, food, traditions) and assign realistic due dates. Panorama mode will show all pending tasks with their colors, while Focus mode lets you concentrate on one area, such as decoration or grocery shopping. With the Kanban view, organize tasks into columns like 'To Buy', 'To Cook', or 'To Decorate', and drag them as you progress. If you're on the Plus plan, sync with Google Calendar to include events like temple visits or restaurant reservations.

• Purchase materials for deep cleaning (osoji): new cloths, brooms, tatami and shoji cleaning products
• Book a professional cleaning service for windows and carpets (if needed), at least 3 weeks in advance
• Clean every room in the house, including corners, closets, and appliances (focus on removing dust and accumulated dirt)
• Dispose of broken or unnecessary items following local recycling rules (check your municipality's garbage collection schedule)
• Buy New Year decorations (kadomatsu, shimekazari, kagami mochi) at stores like Tokyu Hands or Daiso before December 25th
• Place kadomatsu at the entrance of your home (on both sides of the door) on December 26th or 27th
• Decorate the family altar (butsudan) or tokonoma with shimekazari and kagami mochi (place the mochi on December 28th, avoiding the 29th due to superstition)
• Prepare a list of ingredients for osechi-ryori and buy non-perishables (such as kamaboko, kuromame, datemaki) 2 weeks in advance
• Reserve perishable ingredients (like fish for kobumaki or seafood) at local supermarkets or markets (such as Tsukiji Outer Market) for pickup on December 30th
• Cook osechi-ryori dishes (divide tasks over days: e.g., kuromame on the 28th, datemaki on the 29th, kamaboko on the 30th)
• Prepare ozoni (New Year's soup) with regional ingredients (e.g., mochi, daikon, and spinach in Kanto; mochi and eggplant in Kansai)
• Buy nengajo (New Year's cards) and write them by hand or order them from Japan Post before December 20th
• Mail nengajo to ensure they arrive on January 1st (deadline is December 25th)
• Pay off all outstanding debts before December 31st (including bills, loans, and credit cards)
• Withdraw cash for otoshidama (money envelopes for children) and temple donations
• Plan your temple visit (hatsumode) for January 1st or 2nd: check opening hours and public transport schedules (many trains have special timetables)
• Buy new clothes for New Year's (such as a kimono or red underwear for good luck) before December 25th
• Prepare the menu for December 31st (toshikoshi soba) and buy fresh soba noodles on December 30th
• Clean and organize the entrance of your home to welcome guests (if applicable), including shoe storage and space to remove shoes
• Check and restock your emergency kit and basic supplies (candles, flashlights, batteries) in case of power outages during celebrations