In Japan, the frenzy of weird Santas and blue poinsettias are whisked away the day after Christmas, and replaced with something far better…new year’s decorations! I never saw them before I lived in Tokyo, but it was totally love at first sight.
This is called a shimenawa, and although it comes in many shapes, it always includes rice straw, to ensure there will be plenty of rice and snacks with eyes in the year to come.
The white things stacked on this lacquer stand are kagami mochi – “mirror” rice cakes that give a tip o’ the beanie to the sun goddess who shut herself in a cave to pout, plunging the earth into darkness until she was lured out by catching a glimpse of herself in a mirror held up by a fellow goddess. (This is just a little fake one, but last year I posted a picture of the biggest real one I’ve ever seen!)
This is a little version of a kadomatsu, with bamboo, plum blossoms & pine all bundled up together with rice straw bring a triple whammy of long life, piles of wealth, and everlasting faithfulness to the house.
Every twelve years, each zodiac animal gets its turn in the spotlight. This time, it’s the happy sheep year. These plaster animals are really popular, and I’m always amazed at how they can make ANY animal cute, even when it’s the year of the snake!
This isn’t exactly a decoration, but I can’t resist a shot of my favorite kind of sake, because you can only get at New Year’s! Taruzake is stored in barrels made of Japanese cedar, and it takes on a slight flavor of the wood. If you are with me on January 1st in Japan, I’m very sorry, but I will make you drink some! ^_^
New year’s decorations are sold in November & December at small shops in Asakusabashi, and shimenawa are sold at many shrines & temples in the last half of December.
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2 thoughts on “I Love Japanese New Year’s Decorations!”
Just absolutely love the little version of the kadomatau with all the warataba and irodorigushi. I am in Tokyo for 4 days saw your beautiful arrangements and would love to purchase these – where should I go? Never saw the long sticks with the different ornaments hanging from them. Absolutely charming, simple and chic. I would love to hear back from you. Thank you very much! Sincerely, Eimi Zecha
Hi Eimi! Those are my favorite too! The little store where I bought most of the bits and pieces (you buy the base, then assemble it yourself with whatever ornaments you like) sadly closed during the pandemic, but it was near Asakusabashi Station, where there are tons of venerable shops selling o-hina-sama Girls’ Day dolls and craft/DIY stores. I believe I saw the parts to make these on the ground floor of the giant Shimojima flagship store that’s on the same block as the station, and they might also have them at one of the multi-level craft stores nearby. You might also try Hands (formerly known as Tokyu Hands) in Shibuya. The one thing to know is that these are only sold around New Year’s, and I’m not sure how early that selling season starts. Good luck, and I hope you find them!
Only In Japan 
Just absolutely love the little version of the kadomatau with all the warataba and irodorigushi. I am in Tokyo for 4 days saw your beautiful arrangements and would love to purchase these – where should I go? Never saw the long sticks with the different ornaments hanging from them. Absolutely charming, simple and chic. I would love to hear back from you. Thank you very much! Sincerely, Eimi Zecha
Hi Eimi! Those are my favorite too! The little store where I bought most of the bits and pieces (you buy the base, then assemble it yourself with whatever ornaments you like) sadly closed during the pandemic, but it was near Asakusabashi Station, where there are tons of venerable shops selling o-hina-sama Girls’ Day dolls and craft/DIY stores. I believe I saw the parts to make these on the ground floor of the giant Shimojima flagship store that’s on the same block as the station, and they might also have them at one of the multi-level craft stores nearby. You might also try Hands (formerly known as Tokyu Hands) in Shibuya. The one thing to know is that these are only sold around New Year’s, and I’m not sure how early that selling season starts. Good luck, and I hope you find them!