Ultimate Guide to Japanese New Year Greetings (All Situations)

Japanese New Year Greetings Handbook (Oshougatsu)

In Japan, "Happy New Year" isn't a one-size-fits-all phrase. Depending on WHO you are talking to and WHEN (Before or After midnight Jan 1st), the phrase changes completely.

1. Before New Year's Eve (Until Dec 31st)

Warning: NEVER say "Happy New Year" before the year actually starts. It's considered bad luck (jinxing it).

• Standard: 良いお年を (Yoi otoshi o)
  • Meaning: Have a good new year (coming up).
  • Target: Colleagues, friends, acquaintances.
• Polite (Boss/Elders): 良いお年をお迎えください (Yoi otoshi o omukae kudasai)
  • Meaning: Please welcome a good new year.

2. After New Year's Eve (From Jan 1st)

Now you can unleash the celebration phrases.

A. Basic & Formal (Safe for everyone)

• The Phrase: 明けましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu)
  • Meaning: Congratulations on the opening of the new year.
• The Follow-up: 今年もよろしくお願いします (Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
  • Meaning: Please treat me well this year too.

Invincible Combo: Akemashite... + Kotoshi mo... (Memorize this!)

B. Super Formal (Business Emails / VIPs)

Use this for clients or formal letters.

• Phrase 1: 謹んで新年のお慶びを申し上げます (Tsutsushinde shinnen no diyororokobi o moushiagemasu)
  • Meaning: I respectfully state my congratulations for the New Year. (Sounds very "Samurai", right? +10 Respect points).
• Phrase 2: 旧年中は大変お世話になりました (Kyuunenchuu wa taihen osewa ni narimashita)
  • Meaning: Thank you for taking great care of me during the past year.

C. Casual / Slang (Best Friends / Anime Style)

Only use this with close friends or younger people. BANNED with bosses!

• Ake-ome! (Abbreviation of Akemashite Omedetou)
• Koto-yoro! (Abbreviation of Kotoshi mo Yoroshiku)
• Happy New Year! (Young Japanese people love using English too).

3. Specific Wishes (Health, Success)

Usually written in Nengajo (New Year Cards).

• Health:
  • ご健康を心よりお祈り申し上げます (Gokenkou o kokoro yori oinori moushiagemasu) - Praying from my heart for your health.
• Success:
  • ますますのご活躍をお祈り申し上げます (Masumasu no gokatsuyaku o oinori moushiagemasu) - Praying for your ever-increasing success.
• Family Happiness:
  • ご家族皆様のご多幸をお祈り申し上げます (Gokazoku minasama no gotakou o oinori moushiagemasu).

4. TABOOS (Words to avoid)

Avoid using Kanji that imply "loss" or "end" in New Year cards.

• Kyonen (Last Year): The Kanji "Kyo" (去) means to leave/die.
  • Replace with: Sakunen (Last year) or Kyuunen (Old year).
• Negative words: Losing, breaking, ending.

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Summary: If in doubt, just stick to "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu". It's the safest bet!