Ōmisoka

Ōmisoka
Shinto shrine on ōmisoka
Official name大晦日
Also calledNew Year's Eve
Observed byJapan
TypeCultural
SignificancePreparing for the new year
CelebrationsKōhaku Uta Gassen
DateDecember 31
Next time31 December 2025 (2025-12-31)
FrequencyAnnual
Related toJapanese New Year
New Year's Eve

Ōmisoka (大晦日) or ōtsugomori (大晦) is a Japanese traditional celebration on the last day of the year. Traditionally, it was held on the final day of the 12th lunar month. With Japan's switch to using the Gregorian calendar at the beginning of the Meiji era, it is now used on New Year's Eve to celebrate the new year.