The Japanese New Year, or Shōgatsu, is an important celebration held from January 1st to 3rd. In 2025, the Year of the Snake, this zodiac sign will be honored as a symbol of wisdom and transformation. Families clean their homes beforehand to welcome the new year with purity and good fortune. Decorations like kadomatsu (pine and bamboo arrangements) are placed at entrances. People visit temples to pray, draw fortune slips (omikuji), and enjoy traditional foods such as osechi ryōri and rice soup zōni.