The year is almost over and the Japanese are now furiously trying to send out New Year’s greetings to their friends, family, and acquaintances. Like most customs, the Japanese New Year’s greeting cards are filled with stylistic tidbits that are worth understanding.
- Most Japanese New Year’s greetings are traditionally written on postcards. Stores around the country sell postcards this time of year, often with cute pictures of the coming year’s Chinese zodiac sign or other such New Year symbols.
- The Japanese postal service sells prepaid postcards for national use. There are several types for sale, including blank printer-friendly ones. The cost varies slightly, but is generally around 60 yen a piece (50 yen for postage and 10 yen for the paper).
- At the bottom of New Year postcards sold by the postal service is a set of special lottery numbers. Several weeks after the New Year, the Japanese post office announces the winning numbers. Prizes vary, but 2010’s selection ranges from special New Year stamps to digital cameras to 32” TVs. Once prizes are claimed, the post office returns the postcard itself - voided.
- If you address a card as a New Year’s card and submit it in time (Dec. 25th this year), the Japanese postal service will try to ensure the card is delivered directly on January 1st.
- If someone’s close relative dies, such as a mother or father, that person typically goes into a period of mourning for approximately one year. During that period they generally do not send or ask to receive New Year’s greetings.
- New Year’s cards are not only written to friends and relatives, but also to business or school acquaintances. Some Japanese write and receive hundreds of cards because of this.
- Remember, if you receive a Japanese New Year’s greeting, it is most polite to reply.
Yoiotoshi-o (Have a happy New Year!)
Related Articles: How to write a Japanese New Year’s card
Read more about Japan by the Japan Travel Examiner
Comments