Nengajo

Nengajo are Japanese New Year's cards. They are a traditional way to send greetings and express good wishes to friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances at the start of the year. The tradition has been a significant part of Japanese culture for centuries, evolving from earlier forms of seasonal greetings. Nengajo are typically sent out in late December to ensure they arrive on or around January 1st, the first day of the New Year. Many post offices have special collection boxes for nengajo and offer expedited delivery services to handle the large volume.

The content of a nengajo usually includes a greeting such as "Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu" (Happy New Year) or "Kinga Shinnen" (Happy New Year). They often feature imagery related to the zodiac animal of the coming year, auspicious symbols like pine trees or cranes, or other festive designs. While many people still write and send physical cards, the popularity of digital nengajo and email greetings has also grown in recent years. The act of sending and receiving nengajo serves to maintain social connections and acknowledge relationships during the important New Year period.