Japanese New Year preparation checklist 2027: your Ōshōgatsu guide

Ōshōgatsu (正月) is Japan’s most significant holiday, and preparations begin weeks in advance. This Japanese New Year preparation checklist 2027 will help you organize every detail—from the deep clean (ōsōji) to entrance decorations (kadomatsu), traditional food (osechi-ryōri), and rituals for good luck. In Japan, stores close from December 29 to January 3, so planning ahead is essential to have everything ready before December 31.

Use this checklist in Foco to break tasks into categories (home, shopping, rituals) and assign realistic due dates. For example, schedule deep cleaning for early December and decor shopping before the 25th, when markets (like Tokyo’s Ameya-Yokochō) start selling out. With the Kanban view, group tasks into columns like 'Cleaning,' 'Decor,' and 'Food' to track progress.

Key customs and deadlines in Japan

In 2026, Ōshōgatsu falls on Thursday, January 1, but preparations ramp up by mid-December. Companies typically close on December 29 (shigoto osame), and Buddhist temples hold ōmisoka (New Year’s Eve) with bell-ringing (joya no kane) at midnight. If you live in rural areas, check public transport schedules, as some trains and buses reduce services between December 31 and January 3. For shopping, prioritize local supermarkets or 24-hour convenience stores (like 7-Eleven or Lawson), which stay open longer.

• Buy supplies for ōsōji: microfiber cloths, bamboo broom (chūgi), heavy-duty trash bags, and eco-friendly cleaning products (avoid harsh chemicals near altars or temples)
• Deep clean the house: dust ceilings, wash curtains, clean windows and sliding doors (shoji), and organize closets (donate unused clothes)
• Wash futons, zabuton cushions, and rugs with steam or sunlight (avoid cleaning on December 29, considered unlucky)
• Purchase New Year decorations: kadomatsu (pine and bamboo arrangements for the entrance), shimekazari (sacred rope ornaments), and kagami mochi (stacked rice cakes for the altar)
• Prepare osechi-ryōri: order traditional bento boxes (or buy ingredients to cook: kuromame, kazunoko, datemaki) before December 25
• Buy nengajō: New Year’s greeting cards (mail them by December 25 to arrive on January 1; use special postal stamps)
• Prepare otoshidama: red envelopes (pochibukuro) and crisp bills (withdraw from the bank before December 30, as they close)
• Clean and decorate the household altar (kamidana or butsudan): place kagami mochi, incense, and offerings like mandarins (mikan) and sake
• Buy ingredients for toshikoshi soba: buckwheat noodles, dashi broth, and green onions (prepare on New Year’s Eve)
• Check temple schedules: book tickets for hatsumōde (first shrine visit) at popular sites like Meiji Jingu (Tokyo) or Fushimi Inari (Kyoto)
• Prepare traditional clothing: kimono or hakama for hatsumōde (rent if you don’t own one; shops close on December 31)
• Buy omamori: good-luck charms for the new year (available at temples or souvenir shops; replace annually)
• Settle debts and resolve pending matters before December 31 (starting the year debt-free attracts prosperity in Japan)
• Prepare the first bath of the year (yuzuyu): buy yuzu citrus for the New Year’s Eve bath (purifies and wards off colds)
• Set recurring reminders in Foco: renew omamori in December 2027, clean the altar monthly, and plan next year’s osechi