1
What is the word for New Years in Japanese?
Oshougatsu
What date is this?
十二月三十一日
What is this date？
一月一日
How many zodiac signs are there in the Japanese calendar?
12
What is a koma?
Spinning top
What game is most like Fukuwarai in western culture?
Pin the tail on the donkey
What does Osechiryouri mean?
New years cooking/ food
Name 3 kinds of food you'd find in Osechiryouri
Shrimp(prawns), Beans, Vegetables, Fish eggs and chestnuts
What do Fish eggs represent in Osechiryouri?
Represent having many children and a growing family.
What should you do if you receive a bad Omikuji?
Tie it up at the temple / shrine
Why do people partake in Osouji?
It is a way of getting rid of the old year's dirt and starting the new year fresh and clean
How long do schools usually break for over the New Year period and from when?
2 weeks
From 26 December to 7 January
2026 is the year of which animal in the Japanese zodiac calendar?
Horse (Uma)
What are nengajou and who usually receives them?
New years envelopes filled with cash
Given to children and teenagers from family members
What are mochi?
Rice cakes
What is a kadomatsu, why is it used and where would you find it?
Decoration made from bamboo placed outside of the entrance of the home
To welcome the gods and good fortune
Found outside of the home
What is a Jubako?
Decorative wooden stacked boxes, used to display New Years foods
Why is Hatsumode important for families?
What is the name for a good luck charm in Japanese?
Omamori
What is an Ema? And where would you find it?
A wooden plaque found at a temple. You write your wished on it, and hang it up outside the temple.
What does Akemashite Omedetou mean?
Happy New Year
After the ringing of the bells, Japanese people celebrate and feast on noodles. What do these noodles symbolise?
They symbolize the crossing over from one year to the next and are connected to enjoying a long life.
Next year is the year of the_____in the zodiac calendar. Say it in Japanese too.
Sheep - Hitsuji
What is the word for the envelope that children receive money in actually called?
Pochibukuro
What are bounenkai?
'Year forgetting parties'