Japanese New Year Shogatsu preparation checklist 2027: step-by-step for Ōsōji, Kadomatsu, and Osechi

Japanese New Year (Shogatsu) is the most significant celebration in Japan, filled with traditions symbolizing renewal and good fortune. This Japanese New Year Shogatsu preparation checklist 2027 will guide you through every detail: from deep cleaning your home (Ōsōji) to decorations (Kadomatsu), preparing traditional Osechi meals, and key rituals. In 2027, New Year’s Day falls on Friday, January 1st, but preparations begin weeks in advance, particularly in December, when families gather to get everything ready.

December in Japan is a month of heightened activity: businesses close for the holidays (typically from December 29th to January 3rd), supermarkets and specialty stores stock up on Osechi ingredients and decorations, and streets are adorned with festive lights. This checklist is designed for those living in Japan or following Japanese traditions abroad, with realistic timelines and concrete steps to ensure nothing is overlooked.

What this guide includes

Deep cleaning of the home (Ōsōji) to purify the space, traditional decorations (Kadomatsu, Shimekazari), preparation of symbolic Osechi dishes, rituals like Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year), and organizing family gatherings. Each task is structured to be completed in logical order, with ample time before December 31st.

• Purchase Ōsōji supplies: microfiber cloths, new broom, sponges, eco-friendly cleaning products, and heavy-duty trash bags
• Book professional cleaning services for carpets, tatami mats, and windows if needed (many services book up quickly in December)
• Deep clean each room: dust ceilings, light fixtures, and shelves; wash curtains and cushion covers; mop floors with hot water
• Discard broken or unused items (part of the 'susu-harai' tradition to leave behind negativity from the past year)
• Buy Kadomatsu decorations: pairs of bamboo, pine and plum branches, and straw bases (available at florists, supermarkets like Aeon, or online stores like Rakuten)
• Place Kadomatsu at the entrance of your home (on both sides of the door) before December 26th (avoid the 29th, considered unlucky)
• Prepare Shimekazari: purchase shimenawa (sacred rope), shide (zigzag paper), and decorations like daidai oranges (symbolizing prosperity)
• Hang Shimekazari on the front door to ward off evil spirits and welcome Toshigami (the New Year deity)
• Make a list of Osechi ingredients: shop early at supermarkets or order from specialty stores (e.g., Nijiya Market or Mitsuwa outside Japan)
• Prepare Osechi dishes in advance: kurikinton (sweet potato and chestnut), kamaboko (fish cake), kuromame (black beans), datemaki (rolled omelet), and kazunoko (herring roe)
• Cook and store Osechi in jūbako boxes (stack in layers, each dish in its section; keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge)
• Buy mochi for Kagami mochi: two round rice cakes, a daidai orange, and washi paper (available at Japanese grocery stores)
• Assemble Kagami mochi on a sanpō stand and place it in the tokonoma (family altar) or a prominent spot in your home
• Prepare toshikoshi soba: buy soba noodles, dashi broth, and toppings like green onions and tempura (eaten on New Year’s Eve to symbolize letting go of the old year)
• Purchase otoshidama: red envelopes (pochibukuro) and new bills (unused) to gift to children on January 1st
• Plan Hatsumode: choose a shrine or temple (e.g., Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari in Kyoto) and check opening hours (many close on January 1st morning)
• Prepare traditional clothing: kimono or hakama for the first day of the year (available at stores like Kimono Yamato or rental services like VASARA)
• Buy omamori (amulets) and ema (wish plaques) during Hatsumode for the new year
• Send nengajō: New Year’s postcards to family and friends (mail by December 25th for guaranteed delivery on January 1st)
• Check public transportation schedules: trains and buses have reduced services from December 29th to January 3rd (consult JR East or Japan Transit Planner)
• Prepare traditional games: buy hanetsuki (Japanese badminton), takoage (kites), and sugoroku (board game) for family entertainment
• Confirm restaurant or ryokan reservations if dining out on January 1st (many places require advance booking months ahead)