Japan can feel incredibly modern.

Bullet trains.

Robot cafés.

Convenience stores where you can do almost anything.

But underneath all that modern life are traditions that have been practiced for generations—and many are still part of everyday Japan today.

Some are beautiful.

Some are surprisingly practical.

And some might make you wonder:

“Wait... people still do that?” 😆

From cherry blossom picnics to the first shrine visit of the year, here are 10 Japanese traditions you should know.

1. Hatsumōde (初詣) — The First Shrine Visit of the Year

New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in Japan.

And for millions of people, the year begins with:

初詣 (hatsumōde)

the first visit to a shrine or temple of the new year.

People visit to pray for things like:

Good health.

Success.

Love.

Safety.

And perhaps a little better luck than last year. 😆

Many people also buy new omamori (お守り) protective charms or draw an omikuji (おみくじ) fortune.

Major shrines can become incredibly crowded during the first few days of January.

A quiet spiritual tradition?

Yes.

Quiet crowds?

Not necessarily. 😂

2. Hanami (花見) — Cherry Blossom Viewing

Few traditions are more closely associated with Japan than:

花見 (hanami)

Literally:

花 (hana) = flower
見 (mi) = viewing

Flower viewing. 🌸

Today, hanami usually means gathering beneath blooming cherry trees in spring.

Friends, families and coworkers spread out picnic sheets, bring food and drinks, and enjoy the blossoms together.

But cherry blossoms don't last very long.

And that's part of their beauty.

Their brief appearance has long been associated with the fleeting nature of life.

Beautiful.

Temporary.

And apparently...

a perfect reason for a picnic. 🌸🍙

3. Setsubun (節分) — Throwing Beans at Demons

Imagine chasing a demon out of your house...

with soybeans.

Welcome to:

節分 (Setsubun). 👹

Setsubun is traditionally associated with the transition from winter to spring.

One of its best-known customs is:

豆まき (mamemaki)

bean throwing.

People throw roasted soybeans while saying:

鬼は外！福は内！

Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!

“Demons out! Good fortune in!”

Sometimes a family member wears an oni (demon) mask.

Everyone throws beans at them.

A centuries-old tradition...

that also gives Japanese children permission to throw food at Dad. 😂

4. Obon (お盆) — Welcoming the Spirits of Ancestors

Summer in Japan brings one of its most important traditions:

お盆 (Obon).

Obon is a Buddhist-influenced period when families honor the spirits of their ancestors.

Many people return to their hometowns.

Families visit graves.

Lanterns may be lit.

Offerings may be made.

And communities hold:

盆踊り (Bon Odori)

traditional Obon dances.

You'll often see people dancing together around a raised platform called a yagura.

Obon can feel festive.

But underneath the music and dancing is something much deeper:

remembering the people who came before you.

5. Shichi-Go-San (七五三) — Celebrating Children at 7, 5 and 3

Why are the numbers:

7, 5 and 3

so important?

Because of:

七五三 (Shichi-Go-San).

Literally:

七 = seven
五 = five
三 = three

This traditional celebration marks the growth and well-being of young children.

Families typically visit shrines around November 15, with children often dressed beautifully in kimono or formal clothing.

One especially recognizable part of Shichi-Go-San is:

千歳飴 (chitose ame)

long “thousand-year candy.”

The long shape symbolizes hopes for:

a long and healthy life. 🍬

It's basically a sweet with a very ambitious life goal.

6. Seijinshiki (成人式) — Japan’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Growing up deserves a ceremony.

In Japan, that tradition is:

成人式 (seijinshiki)

the coming-of-age ceremony.

These ceremonies celebrate young people reaching adulthood.

One of the most recognizable sights is young women wearing elaborate:

振袖 (furisode)

long-sleeved formal kimono.

Young men may wear suits or traditional hakama.

Local governments organize ceremonies, and old classmates often reunite.

So yes, it's an important cultural milestone.

But it's also a little like:

formal ceremony + fashion event + giant school reunion. 😆

7. Ōsōji (大掃除) — The Big Year-End Cleaning

Before welcoming the new year...

Japan cleans.

And not just:

“I'll quickly vacuum the living room.”

We're talking:

大掃除 (ōsōji)

the big cleaning.

Homes, schools and workplaces may get a thorough cleaning toward the end of the year.

Dust.

Clutter.

Forgotten corners.

Goodbye.

The tradition has roots in older purification customs connected with preparing to welcome the new year.

The idea is beautifully simple:

Don't carry the old year's mess into the new one.

Physical mess...

and perhaps metaphorical mess too.

Honestly?

Not a bad tradition. 🧹✨

8. Nengajō (年賀状) — Japanese New Year Cards

Before text messages...

before Instagram...

before “Happy New Year!!! 🎉” in the group chat...

Japan had:

年賀状 (nengajō).

These are traditional New Year's postcards sent to friends, relatives, colleagues and other important connections.

The cards often feature the coming year's zodiac animal and a New Year's greeting.

One particularly charming part of the tradition is timing.

Cards mailed during the designated period can be held by Japan Post and delivered around:

January 1.

Imagine millions of people receiving New Year's greetings at almost the same time.

Very organized.

Very Japanese. 😆

9. Mochitsuki (餅つき) — Traditional Mochi Pounding

Mochi doesn't always begin as the neat little rice cake you see in a package.

Traditionally, making it can involve:

a giant wooden mallet. 🔨

Welcome to:

餅つき (mochitsuki)

traditional mochi pounding.

Steamed glutinous rice is placed into a large mortar called an:

臼 (usu)

Then it's repeatedly pounded with a wooden mallet called a:

杵 (kine).

One person pounds.

Another person reaches in between strikes to turn and wet the mochi.

Yes.

Their hands go near the giant wooden hammer. 😳

Experienced participants develop a careful rhythm.

Mochitsuki is especially associated with New Year and remains a popular community tradition.

Making food...

with teamwork, timing and just a tiny bit of danger.

10. Hatsuhinode (初日の出) — Watching the First Sunrise of the Year

Japan doesn't only celebrate the moment the clock reaches midnight.

For some people, one of the most meaningful moments comes a few hours later.

初日の出 (hatsuhinode)

means:

the first sunrise of the year. 🌅

People travel to beaches, mountains, observation decks and other scenic locations to watch the sun rise on January 1.

The first sunrise is traditionally considered auspicious.

It represents:

a new beginning.

new hope.

a fresh year.

After everything from the previous year...

the sun comes up again.

Simple.

But beautiful.

Are Japanese Traditions Still Practiced Today?

Yes.

But traditions change.

Some Japanese people participate deeply in religious or cultural customs.

Others enjoy them primarily as seasonal events.

Some families practice certain traditions every year.

Others barely participate at all.

That's normal.

Culture isn't frozen in the past.

A young person might visit a centuries-old shrine for hatsumōde...

then immediately take a photo and post it to Instagram.

Someone might wear a traditional yukata to Bon Odori...

and buy dinner from a festival food stall.

Old and new don't necessarily compete in Japan.

Very often...

they simply live together.

Why Does Japan Have So Many Seasonal Traditions?

Japanese culture has long been strongly connected to the changing seasons.

Spring 🌸

Cherry blossoms.

New beginnings.

Summer 🎐

Festivals.

Obon.

Fireworks.

Autumn 🍁

Harvest foods.

Changing leaves.

Winter 🎍

Year-end traditions.

New Year.

Instead of simply noticing that the season changed, Japanese culture often gives people something to do when it changes.

Eat something.

Visit somewhere.

Decorate something.

Celebrate something.

That's one reason exploring Japanese traditions can feel like exploring the Japanese calendar itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some famous Japanese traditions?

Some of Japan's best-known traditions include hanami, hatsumōde, Obon, Setsubun, Shichi-Go-San, Seijinshiki, ōsōji and New Year customs.

What is Japan's biggest traditional holiday?

New Year (お正月, Oshōgatsu) is one of Japan's most important annual celebrations and includes traditions such as hatsumōde, hatsuhinode, osechi cuisine and New Year's decorations.

What is hanami?

Hanami (花見) means flower viewing and usually refers to enjoying cherry blossoms with friends, family or coworkers during spring.

What happens during Obon?

Families honor their ancestors, visit graves and may participate in community events such as Bon Odori dancing.

Why do Japanese people throw beans at Setsubun?

The custom of mamemaki symbolically drives away bad fortune and welcomes good fortune.

Do Japanese people still follow traditional customs?

Yes, although participation varies widely. Many traditions continue as religious practices, family customs, community events or seasonal celebrations.

🇯🇵 Keep Discovering Japan

If you enjoyed discovering these Japanese traditions, explore What Is Japanese Culture? A Beginner’s Guide to Everyday, Traditional & Modern Japan to discover how centuries-old customs and modern life exist side by side.

👋 Meet a JapPop Resident

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Big exam?

You’ve got this.

New job?

Good luck!

Starting something scary?

Lucky Charm is already praying for you. 🙏

Inspired by Japan’s omamori (お守り) protective charms, Lucky Charm hopes to bring a little luck, courage, and brighter days wherever it goes.

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🇯🇵 About JapPop

At JapPop, we celebrate Japanese culture through playful illustrations, original characters, and stories inspired by everyday life in Japan.

From beloved foods and traditional festivals to folklore, historical figures, seasonal customs, language and everyday life, every article introduces another piece of Japan—and another story worth discovering.

Some traditions are hundreds of years old.

Some are still evolving.

And some involve throwing beans at your dad while he's dressed like a demon. 👹

That's the fun of discovering Japan.

Discover Japan, one story at a time. 🇯🇵✨