Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan follows the Chinese zodiac and names its years after animals and other creatures, and 2026 will be the Year of the Horse, taking over from the Year of the Snake.

Across Japan and East Asia, 2026 will see shop windows and homes adorned with lively horse motifs. These festive designs celebrate the Lunar New Year, which falls on February 17 in 2026 and dance to the rhythm of the moon.

Horses in Japan, as elsewhere, figure prominently in folklore as symbols of energy, action, and luck. Yet 2026 stands out, marking the rare and fiery arrival of the Fire Horse, a phenomenon that blazes into view just once every 60 years.

A long-held superstition whispers that girls born in the Year of the Fire Horse will possess fierce spirits and face stormy marriages. This belief has led some families to avoid welcoming children during this rare year. When the Fire Horse last galloped through in 1966, Japan’s birth rate reportedly dropped by a quarter, though some suggest other factors may have contributed.

Old tales claim that the Year of the Horse brings a surge of fires. One infamous figure, OSHICHI Yoaya, born in the Fire Horse year of 1666, became a legendary arsonist and met a fiery end herself. Strangely, that same year, the Great Fire of London raged far across the seas.

Yet for others, the Year of the Fire Horse sparks hope and fresh possibilities. A wave of public and investor optimism hints at an economic year of momentum.

Japan’s economy is riding high, and Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae enjoys strong support. While the outlook is calm on the home front, recent moves have stirred diplomatic ripples with China that may need careful navigation.

For many in Japan, the New Year is a season of hope, a chance to wish for brighter health, careers, and connections. The holiday transforms the nation, as bustling roads, packed trains, and crowded airports carry people home to loved ones.

New Year’s is one of Japan’s three main holidays, along with Golden Week in early May and O-bon in August. O-bon is not an official holiday, but it is observed nationwide.

Most celebrations are centered around family, and many people visit a temple or shrine around midnight. 

Hot drinks or soup are often served, either for free or from food stalls set up on the grounds. At midnight, temples ring a large bell 108 times in a ritual called Joya No Kane, which is meant to purify the mind and soul.
Japan mainly uses the Gregorian calendar, which starts on January 1, but it also has its own way of marking years based on the Imperial system. For example, the years from 1926 to 1989 were under Emperor Hirohito, who is called Emperor Showa after his death, and this period is known as the Showa Era. The upcoming New Year will be Reiwa 8 in Japan, and many official documents will use this year instead of 2026.

At dawn on January 1, early risers set out to greet the year’s first sunrise, known as hatsu-hinode. Watching the sun climb over the horizon, especially from the coast, is a cherished ritual to welcome new beginnings.

Shops and restaurants shutter their doors on January 1, with some staying closed through the festive stretch from December 28 to January 4. But by January 2, Tokyo and other major cities spring back to life as businesses reopen and the city’s pulse quickens once more.