正月 (Shōgatsu)

Shogatsu is Japan's New Year celebration, filled with unique foods and family rituals.

The New Year holiday, when families eat osechi-ryōri and ozōni, make their first shrine visit and give children otoshidama.

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Opens Jan 1, closes Jan 2 · 48 hours

what 正月 (Shōgatsu) is

Shogatsu, or the New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Japan, celebrated from January 1st to 3rd. It is a time for family reunions, reflection, and renewal. During this period, many businesses and schools close, allowing people to spend time with their families. The New Year is a time to honor ancestors and deities, and to wish for good fortune in the coming year.

One of the key traditions during Shogatsu is the first shrine visit, known as hatsumode. People dress in their finest attire and visit local Shinto shrines to pray for good health, success, and happiness in the new year. They often purchase special amulets and talismans for protection and good luck. Another important custom is the giving of otoshidama, monetary gifts given to children in special envelopes called pochibukuro. Homes are decorated with kadomatsu, pine and bamboo at the gate, and kagami mochi, stacked rice cakes, and families sit down to osechi, lacquered boxes of symbolic dishes prepared in advance so that nobody cooks for three days.

what you'll learn5 domains

The pack has 36 words spread across these domains.

GreetingsCommon phrases and well-wishes exchanged during Shogatsu.

Event DayWhat happens on the days of Shogatsu.

FoodTraditional dishes and sweets prepared and eaten during Shogatsu.

PlacesImportant locations visited during Shogatsu celebrations.

GiftsItems exchanged during Shogatsu, especially otoshidama.

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 正月 (Shōgatsu) 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.