Kadomatsu and Shimekazari: Japan's New Year Decorations

Published October 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Welcoming the New Year at the Front Door

In the last weeks of December, Japanese streets start to look different. Pairs of fresh green pine and bamboo appear beside shop entrances, and round or braided straw wreaths decorated with oranges and paper streamers hang above front doors. These are kadomatsu and shimekazari, the two most recognizable New Year decorations in Japan, and they carry a charming mix of beauty, symbolism, and tradition.

This guide explains what each decoration is, what its parts mean, and when it traditionally goes up. We will also look at the Shinto ideas behind them, the way they relate to the rice-cake display called kagamimochi, and a few friendly tips for noticing and enjoying them. No special knowledge is needed, just a love of seasonal details.

The best news for visitors is that these decorations are very easy to see. Shops, hotels, train stations, and homes often put them out, so a short winter walk can turn into a lovely little treasure hunt.

What Is a Kadomatsu?

Kadomatsu literally means "gate pine," and it is traditionally placed at the entrance of a home or business. Pairs are typical, with one on each side of the gate, and they are said to represent male and female. A kadomatsu is a type of yorishiro, an object that welcomes a spirit. In this case it welcomes the toshigami, the deity who visits at New Year, bringing a bountiful harvest and the blessings of the ancestors. The decoration serves as a temporary home for the visiting kami while the New Year festivities take place.

Traditional kadomatsu used pine as the main material, but bamboo is now the most common. The central part is usually made from three large bamboo stalks, and designs vary by region. Pine branches, bamboo, and sprigs of plum (ume) are bundled together with straw at the bottom. Plastic versions also exist for people who want something that lasts or is easy to move.

Each element has a meaning. Pine stays green through the cold and is a symbol of strength. Bamboo grows straight and tall and stands for vitality and prosperity. Plum blossoms in winter and represents integrity. Bamboo that is cut diagonally is considered especially auspicious, because the cut surface looks a bit like a smiling face.

Shimekazari and Kagamimochi

The shimekazari is a decorated sacred straw rope, hung above the front door or the gateway. It is a New Year form of the shimenawa, a rope made of rice straw that is used in Shinto to mark a sacred or pure space. At shrines, shimenawa are tied around trees, stones, and buildings, and zig-zag paper streamers called shide often hang from them. They are believed to purify the space and keep away evil spirits. The largest shimenawa in Japan hangs at Izumo Taisha, and it is 13.5 meters long and 8 meters wide, made by more than 800 people.

The New Year version is decorated with items that bring blessings to the household. A bitter orange called daidai is often used, and its name is linked with the idea of family continuing from generation to generation. Other common items include the urajiro fern, associated with honesty and long life, and yuzuriha leaves, which symbolize a long family line. Some wreaths also include rice-related decorations such as rice cakes.

Together these items create a bright, welcoming sign that the home is ready for the New Year deity. They can be hung over the front door, and in some homes also by the household altar.

You will often see kadomatsu and shimekazari mentioned alongside kagamimochi, the third classic New Year decoration. It consists of two round rice cakes, a smaller one set on top of a larger one, often accompanied by a bitter orange and other lucky items such as skewered dried persimmons. The round shape recalls an ancient bronze mirror, one of Japan's Three Sacred Treasures, which is how it got its name, meaning "mirror rice cake."

Like the kadomatsu, kagamimochi serves as a dwelling place for the New Year deity. It is usually placed in an elevated alcove in a traditional room or in another important spot in the home. Together, the three decorations form a set: kadomatsu to welcome the deity at the gate, shimekazari to mark the doorway as pure, and kagamimochi to offer a resting place inside.

When They Go Up and Come Down

Timing matters in Japanese tradition, and this is no exception. Decorations can be set out at any time after December 13, which is the traditional day for the big end-of-year cleaning. The 28th is considered the most favorable day, because the number eight suggests growing prosperity. The 29th and the 31st are traditionally avoided, so many people choose another day in the last half of the month. In modern times, kadomatsu commonly appear after Christmas.

The decorations usually stay up until January 7. In the Edo period the date was January 15, and some regions still follow a later date. After that, the decorations are traditionally burned, often in mid-January, as a respectful way to thank the New Year deity and send it off. Dates and customs can vary by region, so local practice may differ from what you read here.

How Visitors Can Enjoy Them

You do not need to own a house to take part. If you visit Japan in late December or early January, keep an eye out for kadomatsu at shop entrances, hotel lobbies, train stations, and shrines. Each one is a little different, from tall bamboo arrangements to plainer ones, and some regions have their own styles. Compare the bamboo cuts, the type of pine, and the ribbons or straw bindings, and see how many variations you can find.

If you would like a keepsake, small decorations are often sold in shops around the end of the year, and they make attractive souvenirs. Ask a staff member about local customs, and be sure to treat decorations at homes and businesses respectfully: admire them from a distance, take photographs politely, and avoid touching them.

Dress warmly for a winter walk, and consider visiting a shrine in the first days of January to see how the season is celebrated. New Year is a busy time, so patience and good manners will make your visit smoother.

Quick Takeaways

Kadomatsu and shimekazari are cheerful, symbolic decorations that welcome the New Year deity into the home. The kadomatsu combines pine, bamboo, and plum at the gate, while the shimekazari is a decorated sacred straw rope at the door, with oranges, ferns, and leaves that stand for family continuity and long life.

They go up in the second half of December and come down in early January, and they are easy to spot across the country. Notice the details, enjoy the symbolism, and let these simple decorations add a touch of tradition to your winter trip.