Japanese New Year's Tradition

United States
December 31, 2008 12:48am CST
I heard that in Japan it is customary to clean your whole house three days before New Year's Day, so I have been doing just that. I am not Japanese, but I love the feeling of having a clean house to start the new year. Does anyone else know about this tradition or doing anything like this before the New Year?
8 responses
@nomoso (650)
• India
2 Jan 09
Hey in most of the customary we have the choice of cleaning up the house and every possible thing. Its because we are heading towards a new year we wish everything should be new and you have done a great job in cleaning up your home.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jan 09
Cleaning up your house before the New Year is actually a very smart thing to do. You feel renewed.
@nomoso (650)
• India
3 Jan 09
yeah that right.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
21 Jan 09
that sounds good. hope it was enjoyable for you and all that came to spend the new years celebration with you.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Jun 09
Thanks.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
2 Jan 09
Is there any Japanese or any voluneer who would like to perform the Japanese tradition in Malta? I would be willing to give him my home key to find it clean when I return home from work.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jan 09
Malta! Get out of here! I had a science teacher who came from Malta. I hear that that country is very small?
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
31 Dec 08
If anybody volunteers to help me to clean my house I would not complain. I like cleanliness but these days are the most where we slack when we come to housekeeping. We are busy with parties and visiting relatives. There is little time left for cleaning.
1 person likes this
• India
31 Dec 08
Three days!! *GROAN* Isn't that too much of cleaning? Anyway, everything gets dirty again...I wouldn't clean three days...maybe a few hours. :) Cheers and happy Mylotting
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 09
Not really, especially if you have a family that is very messy.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
31 Dec 08
Hello friend. It is the same with us in China. We give a thorough cleaning to our house before we have our New Year's Eve however cold the weather is. Happy New Year to you, friend.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 09
Thank you for sharing that information with us. Happy New Year to you too.
@kunking (1118)
• China
31 Dec 08
hi,rogue! i know its customary to do that in most far east countries such as China,Japan and Korea..people like to clean their house to welcome the coming new year and wish good luck for themself and their friends in the new year..a little difference between Chinese and Japanese is our Chinese prefer doing that around Chinese Tradition New Year which is called Spring Festival while Japanese do that just before the New Year...anyway,its great u have cleaned your house to start the new year..wish u good luck in the new year...
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Dec 08
Thank you.
• Malaysia
31 Dec 08
Yes I think I noticed this custom before when I was studying there in Japan. For those who are working, they will have around 3 to 4 days leave before new year.New Year is the most important celebration in Japan, just like Christmas.It's good to clean your house before new year, for a total fresh and clean New Year.Happy New Year to you.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Dec 08
Thank you for sharing this information with everyone.