6 Japanese Ways To Avoid Bad Luck In The New Year!
Jojo Morsche
Every country has its own New Year's traditions which often involve food but also many come with superstitions! Some of them you might have heard of, in Denmark they throw broken dishes at neighbors, in Spain they eat 12 grapes during the countdown and in the Philippines people make lots of noise.
When it comes to Japanese culture, there are some other things that you have to keep in mind to ensure that 2019 will be your year. These rules are meant to be followed during the New Year period which is from the first till the 3rd of January in Japan.
1. No cleaning!
I'm sure that some people don't mind this one but on the other hand some people see the New Year as a fresh start and therefore as a good time to get rid of all the clutter in their house. The Japanese believe however that cleaning during this period might scare away well-meaning spirits who come to visit your house.
2. No kitchen knives!
Using knives during New Years isn't recommended for several superstitious reasons. First of all not doing so will promise you a healthy and safe year, secondly it is said that using a knife to cut things during this time will result in cutting ties with people too. Yikes!
3. No boiling with fire!
You might as well not cook at all during the first three days of the year! So what's wrong with boiling water? The foamy film drifting on top of water when boiling something is known in Japan as aku 灰汁 but aku can also mean evil when written with a different kanji 悪. So boiling water causes bad luck according to this superstition!
4. No eating any animals that walk on four legs
Emperor Tenmu prohibited the consumption of meat in 675AD. According to Buddhist teachings one shouldn't take lives, therefore many Japanese were vegetarians those days. This is surprising considering the fact that there are so few vegetarians and vegan options in Japan!
5. No fighting!
The idea behind this one if that the way you start your year is how it will continue for the rest of the year. Fighting can continue from January the 4th on.
6. No careless spending!
This must be the hardest one for most Japanese considering the fukubukuro that are released every 1st and 2nd of January. Why shouldn't we do some New Year's shopping? Apparently spending money at the beginning of the year will make it impossible to save throughout the rest of the year!
What do you think of these 6 rules? What kind of New Year's traditions are there in your country? share them in the comments below!
Keep up with all fun foodie news coming out from Japan by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Want to get a FREE Japanese candy box? Check out how to get one here!
Related articles
Inside MoN Takanawa, Tokyo’s New Museum of Narratives
In 2026, Tokyo opened a major new cultural space with the debut of MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives.
Osaka Hotel Guide: Five Best Ones to Stay At!
Osaka has become one of Japan’s top travel destinations. Visitors come for the city’s food scene, nightlife, and shopping districts. As tourism in the Kansai region continues to grow, Osaka’s hotel scene has expanded as well. Because of this, many people like to stay at an Osaka hotel.
Osaka Castle is Home to an Amazing New Park!
In recent years, Osaka has strengthened its reputation as one of Japan’s top cities for live entertainment, comedy, theater, and pop culture.
Japanese Monkey Spotlight: Who Is Punch?
In early 2026, a tiny Japanese monkey at a zoo near Tokyo became one of the internet’s most recognizable animals. His name was Punch, a baby Japanese macaque living at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture.
Golden Week in Japan: Planning Ahead for Next Year
Golden Week is one of the busiest travel periods in Japan—and if you’re thinking about experiencing it, planning ahead is essential. With millions of people traveling across the country, popular destinations fill up quickly, trains sell out, and major attractions reach peak capacity. If you’re already looking ahead to next year, here’s a guide to...
Sanrio Places to Visit in Japan: A Complete Travel Guide!
Japan is the global hub of kawaii culture, and no brand defines it more than Sanrio. Known for Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi, Sanrio has expanded far beyond merchandise into theme parks, cafés, and retail experiences across Japan.
