Welcoming Winter Solstice with Tōji
- Narelle Katsumoto
- 2025年12月22日
- 読了時間: 4分
Welcoming Winter Solstice with Tōji
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. From soaking in fragrant yuzu baths to watching the first sunrise of the year, Tōji offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and its deep connection to nature, health, and good fortune.
What is Tōji?
In Japan, the winter solstice, called Tōji, usually falls around December 22nd. It is the shortest day of the year, when sunlight feels weakest. It was also once known as Ichiyou Raifuku, meaning “the return of the sun’s warmth.”
Long ago, the Japanese believed this was a time when misfortune was closer, because the sun’s power was fading. To protect themselves, they created rituals and customs to bring good luck and safety. Many of these traditions continue today.
While ancient Japanese viewed Tōji as a time when death was near, it was also shaped by the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. The day marks the peak of “cold and darkness” (yin) and the promise of returning “warmth and light” (yang) as spring approaches. In this way, Tōji acknowledges the darkest time while looking forward to the gradual return of strength, longer days, and the hope of renewal.
Tōji Customs
1. Yuzu Bath (December 22) Welcoming Winter Solstice with Tōji
On the winter solstice, many Japanese soak in yuzu-yu. It’s a hot bath filled with whole yuzu fruits, which are in season from October to December. The citrusy aroma is said to ward off illness and “bad air,” helping prevent colds, improve circulation, and bring good luck. Fun fact: the kanji 湯治 (yuzu) can mean “hot water cure,” while 融通 (yūzū) suggests “smoothly,” symbolizing blood flowing freely through your body.
This tradition dates back to the Edo period, when public bathhouses called sento used yuzu baths to attract visitors. Today, it still remains popular, and even capybaras at Izu Shaboten Zoo get to enjoy it!
If you do not feel like going out, you can enjoy a yuzu bath in the comfort of your own home. Just drop whole yuzu into your hot bath, or slice them and place them in a mesh bag. Beyond tradition, yuzu baths provide gentle warmth, deep relaxation, and nourishing benefits for the skin.
2. Kabocha Squash
Eating kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) on Tōji is thought to prevent colds and misfortune. Though really a summer vegetable, historically, kabocha was a winter staple because it stores well and is highly nutritious, helping to warm the body during cold months. It’s often served in stews, tempura, or sweets. In some regions, people make いとこ煮 (itokoni), a braised dish of kabocha and adzuki beans, symbolizing protection and good luck.
3. Lucky Foods with “ん”
Foods containing the hiragana character “ん” are considered lucky. As the last character in the hiragana order, “ん” symbolizes completion, reflecting the solstice’s theme of endings and new beginnings. Foods with two “n” sounds are believed to double your luck, a practice called 運盛り (un mori). This tradition is also known as 冬至の七種 (Tōji no Nanakusa), or the seven lucky foods of the winter solstice. These seven foods are: udon (noodle), ninjin (carrot), nankin kabocha (pumpkin), renkon (lotus root), kinkan (kumquat), ginnan (ginkgo), and kanten (agar).
4. 大晦日 (Ōmisoka | December 31)
New Year’s Eve, called Ōmisoka in Japan, marks the final day of the year. A popular tradition is eating 年越しそば (toshikoshi soba), long noodles that symbolize longevity and the idea of cutting away past misfortunes. At midnight, temples ring their bells 108 times, following Buddhist belief, to help people let go of worldly desires and welcome the new year with a fresh start.
5. 初日の出 (First Sunrise | January 1)
In Japan, watching the first sunrise of the year, called goraikō, is a cherished tradition. People take this quiet, magical moment to pray for good fortune, a bountiful harvest, and protection from misfortune. The practice honors the sun goddess Amaterasu and welcomes Toshigamisama, the god of the new year, who is believed to bring health and blessings for the year ahead. Legend says that making a wish while watching the sunrise can help it come true!
6. 初詣 (Hatsumōde)
Hatsumōde is the first visit to a shrine or temple in the new year. People express gratitude for the past year and ask for good fortune and protection in the year ahead. You don’t have to visit a famous shrine; most people go to the one closest to home, believing that the nearby kami’s power can reach them more easily. The tradition dates back to the Heian period and evolved from toshikomori, the practice of staying overnight at a shrine on New Year’s Eve. Back then, the heads of shrine households would spend the night praying. Over time, this custom split into separate visits on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
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