Shinnenkai: Japan's New Year Parties

January in Japan brings lively New Year gatherings for offices, clubs and friends, and knowing the simple customs makes any invitation easy to enjoy.

Published October 26, 2026 at 11:41 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: A shinnenkai is a New Year party held in January by companies, clubs, classes and groups of friends, usually at an izakaya or restaurant. People gather to wish each other luck, share goals for the year and relax over food and drinks. It follows the bonenkai (year-end party) and has its own simple etiquette: wait for the toast, pour for others and stay until the end.

Anyone who spends time in Japan around January is likely to hear the word shinnenkai, often written 新年会. It can be a large company event, a small team dinner or a reunion with school friends, and invitations sometimes arrive with very little explanation. This guide explains what the party is for, how it differs from the bonenkai, what usually happens from the first toast to the last clap, and how visitors or new coworkers can join in comfortably. It also covers costs in general terms, food, drinks and some quick phrases that help.

What a shinnenkai is

A shinnenkai is a New Year gathering, literally "new year meeting" or "new year party." Wikipedia describes it as a tradition for welcoming the new year, usually with drinks, held generally in January. Most are organized by office coworkers, though friends, clubs, sports teams and former classmates also hold them.

The tone is warm and forward-looking. People wish each other good fortune, make small promises to do their best in the coming year, and enjoy time together after the holiday break. Because Japanese social life can be reserved, the party is also seen as a friendly occasion for showing appreciation to colleagues and friends.

There is no fixed date. Groups choose an evening that works for most people, often in the weeks after the holiday period ends. Some organizations hold theirs in mid or late January, and a few arrange a daytime or lunch version for people who prefer not to go out late.

Shinnenkai versus bonenkai

The shinnenkai is the January counterpart to the bonenkai, the December party whose name means roughly "forget the year gathering." The bonenkai looks back and lets people leave the troubles of the past twelve months behind. The shinnenkai looks ahead.

Both parties trace back to gatherings from the Muromachi period, around the fifteenth century, when people met to give thanks, according to English-language sources. The word bonenkai appeared in the eighteenth century. Neither belongs to the formal shogatsu (New Year holiday) celebrations that run through the first days of January, which are mostly spent with family.

In practice, many companies now hold one or the other rather than both. Statistically, the bonenkai is the more widely attended of the two, so a shinnenkai may feel a little smaller or more relaxed. Where both are held, the shinnenkai is sometimes slightly more formal, with a leader sharing hopes for the year.

What usually happens at the party

Most shinnenkai follow a familiar pattern. Guests arrive and sit down, often at long tables in a private room at an izakaya (a casual pub-style restaurant) or a restaurant. A senior person gives a short greeting, then someone leads a kanpai, the group toast, and the party begins.

Food usually arrives in courses or as shared plates, and many venues offer a set menu with a fixed drinking time. Conversation moves between tables, with people topping up each other's glasses and chatting with colleagues they rarely sit near. Some events add entertainment such as games, a raffle or a short performance, and a few include traditional music like taiko drumming.

Parties often end with a closing speech and rhythmic clapping called ippon-jime (one clap) or sanbon-jime (a three-part clap). Afterward, some groups continue to a second party called a nijikai, usually at another izakaya or a karaoke room, though joining is optional.

Traditions that carry over from the holidays

Some shinnenkai borrow customs from shogatsu. One is kagami biraki, the cracking open of a sake barrel with a wooden mallet so that everyone can share a drink. Another is mochitsuki, pounding steamed rice into mochi, which is sometimes done in a group or at a hall.

Auspicious foods can also appear. Items such as mochi, seasonal dishes and small celebratory sweets turn up on party menus, with ingredients that symbolize good fortune. These touches are a pleasant way to stretch the festive mood beyond the holiday itself.

Not every party includes these rituals. A typical office dinner at a restaurant may only offer a good meal and a toast, which is perfectly normal.

Etiquette for guests

The basic rules are simple and kind. Wait for everyone to have a drink in hand and for the official toast before taking the first sip. During the evening, offer to refill other people's glasses when they are low, ideally before topping up your own, and accept a pour with a small nod and both hands if you like.

If the company is not paying, the bill is commonly split evenly, regardless of what each person ordered. Organizers often try to keep the cost per person moderate so everyone feels welcome, and some employers cover part or all of it. If you are unsure, quietly ask a colleague what is expected.

Plan your timing as well. Many parties finish before the last train, and guests commonly stay until the closing clap unless they have arranged otherwise with the host. Thank the organizer at the end, and an easy phrase is "Gochiso sama deshita," which means "Thank you for the meal."

Food and drink to expect

Alcohol is central to many shinnenkai, with beer often chosen for the first toast and sake linked closely to New Year celebration. Many izakaya offer an all-you-can-drink option for a set time as part of a course menu.

People who do not drink alcohol can generally order tea or soft drinks, and venues usually list non-alcoholic options on the menu. If you prefer to skip alcohol, a simple explanation to the host is enough, and a glass of oolong tea is a common choice. Dietary needs and allergies are best discussed with the organizer ahead of time, because ingredients vary by shop and course.

Shared plates often include sashimi, grilled items, salads, fried dishes and a rice or noodle finish. Ask staff if you are unsure what something contains.

Where visitors might meet one

Visitors rarely attend a corporate shinnenkai, but they may encounter a version of it in other ways. Business associations and foreign chambers of commerce in Japan hold New Year receptions that carry the same name. Language schools, clubs and community groups may hold casual ones, and a host family or friend might invite you along.

If you are traveling in January, you may also notice groups in suits and festive moods filling izakaya in the evening. Booking a table at a popular place can be hard on weekends in January, so reserve ahead or try going earlier. For a taste of the atmosphere, many izakaya near stations are welcoming to travelers who show good manners.

A few phrases that help

Learning two or three phrases makes the evening smoother. "Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu" means "Happy New Year" and is used in the first part of January. "Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu" roughly asks for continued good will in the year ahead and is used often in greetings. At the toast, say "Kanpai" with everyone else.

When you leave, a polite "Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu" tells coworkers you are going before they do. These small gestures matter more than perfect grammar. Warmth and a willingness to join in are what make a shinnenkai enjoyable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a shinnenkai and a bonenkai?

A bonenkai is the December year-end party where people leave the old year behind, while a shinnenkai is the January party that welcomes the new year. Both are held by companies, friends and groups, and neither is part of the family-centered shogatsu holiday itself. Many companies hold only one of the two.

Do you have to drink alcohol at a shinnenkai?

No. Alcohol is common and a toast is traditional, but most venues also offer tea and soft drinks. A polite word to the host is usually enough. It is a good idea to check the menu ahead for any allergens, since ingredients differ from shop to shop.

How much does a shinnenkai cost?

It varies by venue, group and whether the employer contributes. Wikipedia notes that organizers often aim for a modest per-person cost so people are not discouraged from attending. If the company is not paying, the bill is typically split evenly. Ask the organizer in advance if you are unsure.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Bonenkai: Japan's Year-Forgetting Parties, Nomikai: Japan's After-Work Drinking Party Explained and Hatsumode: The First Shrine Visit of the New Year.