★A Special Way to Greet the New Year

In Japan, New Year’s is one of the most important celebrations, and with it comes a rich tradition of greetings.
While these greetings are commonly exchanged in Japanese, they also reflect the values, hopes, and respect that the Japanese culture holds dear. In this post, I’ll introduce two main traditional New Year’s greetings in Japanese and explain their meanings, along with the cultural significance behind them.

1.”あけましておめでとうございます”
（Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu)

This is the most common New Year’s greeting in Japan, and it translates to “Happy New Year!” However, its literal meaning is closer to “Congratulations on the opening of the New Year”. It’s a way to celebrate the start of the year and wish others a fresh, prosperous beginning.

The prase”おめでとう”(Omedetou) means congratulations, and adding”ございます”(Gozaimasu) makes the expression more formal and polite. This is the greeting that you would use when meeting people for the first time after the New Year begins, and it’s commonly used in person, on cards, and even in emails.

2.”ことしもよろしくおねがいします”(Kotoshi mo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu)

This phrase is often used after saying “Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu”. It translates to “I look forward to working with you this year” or “Please take care of me this year”. While the phrase is often used in business and professional contexts, it also appears in personal relationships.

In Japanese culture, the expression emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and cooperation in the year ahead. It’s a way to show gratitude for the relationship and convey a sense of continuing connection into the new year.


New Year’s greetings in Japan go beyond just wishing someone happiness. People living in Japan are deeply embedded in the values of respect, renewal, and community. The new year represents a fresh start, a time to reset and reflect. By exchanging these greetings, people reaffirm their hopes for prosperity, peace, and good health in coming year.

In addition, the New Year’s holiday in Japan is traditionally a time for family gatherings, paying respects to ancestors, and participating in cultural rituals. These greetings, therefore, carry a sense of unity and continuity, connecting the past, present, and future.

As you say “Happy New Year” this year, consider the cultural richness behind the simple words, and perhaps even try using these Japanese greetings yourself!