Hello friends! I like Japanese culture for a long time and I often hear the question: "Does Japan celebrate Lunar New Year?"
Japan used to celebrate Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, but it was abolished in 1873 during the Meiji Restoration. The government wanted to modernize and westernize Japan and viewed the Lunar New Year as a symbol of the country's feudal past. Instead, they adopted the Gregorian calendar and celebrated the New Year on January 1st. Although the Chinese community in Japan still celebrates the Lunar New Year, it is not recognized as a national holiday. In addition, Japan has its own traditional New Year celebrations that focus on family gatherings, visiting shrines and temples, and eating traditional foods.