Winter is cold and often filled with snow and short days, but it is also filled with the warmth of loved ones and illuminations that light up the night.  While you can view some illuminations throughout the year, autumn and winter are the main seasons you will see them.  We all love illuminations, but does anyone know the history of illuminations in Japan?  If you’re like me and the answer to that question is ‘No’, let’s dive into the history together.

Jinjitsu no Sekku (Human Day or Mankind Day), also known as Nanakusa no Sekku (The Seven Herbs Festival), is one of Japan’s five seasonal festivals.  Every year on January 7th, after the hustle and bustle of the New Year, this day serves as a reminder to slow down and prioritize health. While Jinjitsu no Sekku has been celebrated since the Nara period, did you know that its roots can be traced back to China?

As the days grow shorter and the year nears its end, Japan welcomes the winter solstice, or 冬至 (Tōji). This is a time to prepare for the cold, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the return of spring. Though the shortest day may feel shrouded in darkness, Tōji is a celebration of warmth, renewal, and the hope that light will come again.

One tradition stands out at the end of the year. It is Oseibo, the custom of giving year-end gifts. These gifts go to family, colleagues, and bosses. They carry a message of thanks and respect.

“The Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri is the annual festival of Wakamiya, a sub-shrine located within the grounds of Kasuga Taisha Shrine” (Nara City Tourism Association).  This festival began with a prayer by the regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi in 1136.  His prayer was for peace and prosperity to spread throughout the country, for bountiful harvests, and happiness for all people, and that prayer remains at the heart of the festival today.  

Charity Santa is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2008 with the motto "You too can be someone's Santa Claus."  Since 2008, Charity Santa has made it its mission to bring joy to children around the holiday season with the hope of creating a treasured memory.

As the final month of the year rolls in, many people around the world begin preparing for grand holiday feasts and festive decorations. While lavish Christmas displays are the norm in many countries, Japan welcomes the New Year a little differently: through cleaning.

Today marks the third annual celebration of Giving Tuesday in Japan! As our second full year with the Giving Tuesday Global team comes to a close, we have learned (and done) a lot and have a lot to look forward to in 2026!