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