大晦日 (Ōmisoka)

Ōmisoka is the Japanese New Year's Eve, a time for reflection and preparation for the new year.

New Year’s Eve, when families eat toshikoshi soba, watch Kōhaku Uta Gassen and hear temple bells ring 108 times.

Practice Add to my calendar

Opens Dec 31, closes Jan 1 · 48 hours

what 大晦日 (Ōmisoka) is

Ōmisoka, or New Year's Eve, is celebrated on December 31st in Japan. It is a time for families to gather and prepare for the upcoming New Year. One of the most important traditions is eating toshikoshi soba, a type of buckwheat noodle soup. The long noodles symbolize longevity, and eating them is believed to help one live a long and happy life in the new year. Another popular tradition is watching the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a highly anticipated annual New Year's Eve music show that features performances by popular Japanese artists.

As the clock strikes midnight, people across Japan participate in the joya no kane, where temple bells are rung 108 times. This ritual is meant to purify the 108 sins of Buddhism and welcome the new year with a clean slate. Many people also visit shrines or temples on New Year's Eve to pray for good fortune in the coming year. Additionally, some families prepare special dishes called osechi-ryori, which are traditionally eaten during the first three days of the new year. These dishes are often beautifully presented in special boxes and have symbolic meanings related to good luck and prosperity.

what you'll learn5 domains

The pack has 36 words spread across these domains.

GreetingsCommon phrases and greetings used during Ōmisoka.

Event DaySpecific activities and rituals that occur on Ōmisoka.

FoodTraditional dishes and their significance, such as toshikoshi soba and osechi-ryori.

MusicThe Kōhaku Uta Gassen music show and its role in Ōmisoka celebrations.

BeliefsThe spiritual and cultural beliefs associated with Ōmisoka, including joya no kane.

the run — three rounds, about three minutes, unlimited practice

Round 1 · MatchPair the word with its meaning. Six pairs, one attempt each.

Round 2 · SpellType the word you hear, accents and all. Beginners see the meaning and complete the word instead.

Round 3 · MeaningSix questions on what happens at 大晦日 (Ōmisoka) and what it is called.

how scoring works

How you are ranked

1AccuracyEvery correct answer counts the same. Anything you leave unanswered counts as wrong.

2Time, only to break tiesTime is read only when two people have the same accuracy. It never beats a better score.

For example

1100%3:41Marta

2100%4:02Joan — same score, slower

397%2:10Núria — fastest, still third

Two separate boards

BeginnerAdvanced

Same words in both. Beginner gets more help: matching and completing. Advanced listens and spells it out unaided. Pick it in practice; it locks when you take the scored run.

One scored run

Practise as often as you like, all year. The scored run happens once, while the competition is open, and cannot be retaken.