Living in Japan: My First Time Trying Traditional Osechi Ryori
I’ve been living in Japan for a while, but this year was my very first time experiencing Osechi Ryori, the traditional Japanese New Year’s feast. I’d seen pictures before—beautiful lacquered boxes filled with colorful dishes—but I didn’t realize how meaningful each little item actually is until I tried it myself.
Osechi isn’t just “New Year food.” It’s a collection of dishes, each with a special meaning for good fortune, health, or happiness in the coming year. For example, shrimp represents longevity (because their curved backs look like an elderly person’s), black beans symbolize hard work, and rolled omelet (datemaki) stands for knowledge and learning. Everything has a story behind it.
I ordered a three-layer osechi box from a local department store in Gifu, and it arrived chilled on December 31st. When we opened it on New Year’s Day, it felt like unwrapping a piece of art. Every tier had a different theme—seafood, vegetables, and sweet dishes—and everything was neatly arranged.My personal favorites were kazunoko (herring roe) for its unique salty crunch and kurikinton, a sweet chestnut paste that’s smooth and golden. The combination of savory and sweet dishes might seem unusual to foreigners, but it’s perfectly balanced in osechi.
What I found most interesting is that each region in Japan has its own twist. In Kansai, you often find stronger flavors and more traditional ingredients, while in Kyushu, they sometimes include local seafood or even Western-style dishes. Some modern osechi boxes even mix Japanese and Italian cuisine!
If you ever spend New Year’s in Japan, I highly recommend trying osechi at least once. It’s more than just food—it’s a cultural experience that reflects Japan’s love for symbolism, presentation, and seasonal celebration.
I’ve started collecting different osechi styles and regional variations on my blog, so if you’re curious to see more photos and learn how people order them across Japan, you can check it out here:
Posted Oct 14, 2025, 12:48 PM UTC