Things You Should Know about Japanese New Year’s Greetings
During the holiday season, people around the world exchange greeting cards to wish their loved ones a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah. In Japan, this tradition is reflected in nengajo, or Japanese New Year’s greeting cards. These cards hold deep cultural significance, with their exchange dating back to around 1871, when sending postcards first became popular and widely accessible. Nengajo were used as a yearly greeting and a way to thank anyone who had helped the sender during the previous year.
New Year’s is the busiest time of year for post offices in Japan. While email and social media have made nengajo less common, the tradition remains strong, and many people still appreciate the personal touch of a handwritten card. For any international residents who are living in Japan, this simple gesture is a good way to impress your Japanese friends and colleagues, and keep a time-honored tradition alive.
When to Send
Your nengajo should be sent so that it will be received at the start of the new year, meaning between January 1 and 3, with January 7 being the latest. With the new year right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about who you’ll be sending nengajo to. Post offices start accepting nengajo from December 15, and there is a wide variety of designs and layouts to choose from.
How to Write
You can source nengajo with different designs and festive images from online stores, notary shops or even the post office. Once you’ve settled on something you like, it’s time to write your message. Japanese greeting cards are usually very brief messages of gratitude for the past year and a message for the new one.
To thank someone for their support in the last year, you can say sakunen wa osewa ni narimashita (昨年中は色々とお世話になりました). Then you can add your New Year’s greetings. Two ways to say Happy New Year in Japanese are akemashite omedetou gozaimasu (明けましておめでとうございます) or shinnen omedetou gozaimasu (新年おめでとうございます). End your message by saying you are looking forward to the next year with kotoshi mo douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu (今年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします).
Who to Write To
Who you nengajo to is up to you, but don’t feel that it is something that needs to be sent to everyone you know. The cards are meant to be used as a heartfelt message of gratitude to someone who has made an impact in your life during the year. However, be considerate of families who have suffered the loss of a loved one, as nengajo are not to be sent to families in mourning.
In the modern world of automatic emails, scheduled SNS posting and text messages, don’t be afraid to slow things down and participate in this special part of Japanese culture. It’s a great way to connect with others in Japan, and thank those who have been important in your life. It also means you may receive a few greetings yourself!