Japanese New Year preparation checklist 207: your complete Oshogatsu guide

Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) is the most important celebration in Japan, filled with traditions that symbolize renewal and good fortune. To welcome 2027 fully prepared, 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, visiting temples (hatsumode), and decorating with kadomatsu and shimekazari. Use this checklist in Foco to ensure nothing is forgotten and enjoy the festivities stress-free.

In Japan, preparations begin weeks in advance, particularly between December 13 and 31. Cleaning symbolizes leaving behind the past year’s misfortunes, while decorations invite the gods (toshigami) to bless the home. Foods like ozoni or mochi carry specific meanings, and temple visits in the first days of January are essential for health and prosperity. This checklist is tailored to local customs and the real timelines of 2026-2027.

How to use this checklist in Foco

Import these tasks into Foco and assign them due dates to spread them out over the weeks leading up to New Year. Use Panorama mode to see all tasks for this project (in color) alongside your other work, or switch to Foco mode to concentrate solely on Japanese New Year preparations. In Kanban view, organize tasks by stages (cleaning, decorations, food, visits) and drag them as they progress. If you’re on the Plus plan, sync with Google Calendar to see your year-end events alongside these tasks in Foco’s calendar.

• Buy supplies for deep cleaning (osoji): cloths, multipurpose cleaners, trash bags, and gloves
• Clean every room in the house, including corners, windows, doors, and ceilings (start from the northeast, the lucky direction)
• Wash curtains, rugs, and futons in the sun to purify them
• Discard broken or unnecessary items to make space for good energy (suzumebachi)
• Purchase traditional decorations: kadomatsu (for the entrance), shimekazari (for the door), and kagami mochi (for the altar)
• Place kadomatsu on both sides of the entrance before December 28 (avoid the 29th, considered unlucky)
• Decorate the household altar (kamidana) with shimekazari and kagami mochi, along with offerings like sake and mandarin oranges
• Prepare ingredients for osechi ryori: buy fish, vegetables, eggs, and seaweed in advance (markets close on December 31)
• Cook osechi ryori dishes in jubako boxes (set aside at least two days for preparation)
• Make homemade mochi or buy it from a specialty store (avoid December 31, when demand is high)
• Prepare ozoni (New Year’s soup) with local ingredients from your region (miso or clear broth, depending on the area)
• Buy nengajo (New Year’s cards) and handwrite them before December 25 to send them on time
• Plan your route for hatsumode (first temple visit) and book transportation if needed (temples are very crowded on January 1)
• Buy omamori (amulets) and ema (wish plaques) to bring to the temple during hatsumode
• Prepare money in special envelopes (otoshidama) to gift to children and family on January 1
• Check store and supermarket closing hours in your area (many close from January 1 to 3)
• Check the weather forecast for hatsumode and prepare warm clothing (January is cold in Japan)
• Clean and organize traditional clothing (kimono or hakama) if you plan to wear it during celebrations
• Prepare an emergency kit with basic medicines, tissues, and snacks in case of public transport delays