In the United States, we are largely familiar with people sending out Christmas cards. In Japan, you are far more likely to receive cards on New Year’s Day. These cards, known as nengajo, are a very significant part of the New Year celebration in Japan.
It is common for a Japanese household to send out many nengajo every year, not only to family members but also friends, classmates, coworkers, and more. They will often make use of the new year’s traditional Chinese zodiac animal as their design. Stores will stock special nengajo postcards, which people will buy and fill out with personalized messages to express their gratitude and strengthen their relationships with the people they send them to. Some cards even come with a special lottery number, and the holders of the winning numbers announced after the new year are entitled to valuable prizes.
If you’re looking for a fun way to start off 2016 in style, consider a visit to Sushi Hana. Our Bothell Japanese restaurant is a great way to make the new year special!