大晦日(おおみそか)

大晦日(おおみそか) is December 31st — the last day of the year. It is one of the most culturally significant days in Japan.

ETYMOLOGY:
晦日(みそか) means the last day of the month. 大晦日(おおみそか) is the 'great' last day — the last day of the year.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOMS:

• 年越(としこ)しそば: eating soba noodles for longevity
• 紅白歌合戦(こうはくうたがっせん): NHK's annual music show (Kohaku)
• 除夜(じょや)の鐘(かね): temple bells rung 108 times at midnight
• 大掃除(おおそうじ): year-end deep cleaning (done before 大晦日(おおみそか))

RELATED WORDS:

• 元日(がんじつ): January 1st (New Year's Day)
• 正月(しょうがつ): the New Year period
• 年末(ねんまつ): year-end