A simple envelope leads to funding children’s aid, and providing steady work for people with disabilities.
otoshidama
Grown-ups dish on the appropriate amounts of New Year’s money to gift depending on the age of a child.
For those who aren’t planning to hang on to their monetary presents from grandma and grandpa, advancing their oshi is the top plan.
No need to worry about them spending it all in one place when they aren’t going to spend any of it.
Nothing says “Thanks for all your hard work!” like a bonus from your boss given entirely in Japan’s smallest-denomination coins.
A lesser-known Yamagata Prefecture custom may just be what Obon needs to stave off invasive species of the holiday kingdom like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter.
A lot of Japanese people complain about the tipping culture in the US and Canada. Although parting with more money than necessary is a big part of the complaint, a lot of people in Japan dislike the mental anguish of figuring out how much is appropriate.
However, the New Year’s traditional cash presents of otoshidama, while great for kids, are just as riddled with anxiety for adults. Rather than the ambiguous sentimental value of presents, an envelope filled with cash is instantly quantifiable and wide open to judgment.
To avoid looking like a cheapskate or breaking your own bank account, our reporter surveyed those around her to figure out what the going rates for otoshidama are these days.
With Christmas being just a regular day and the exchanging of gifts something of a rarity, we often feel that kids in Japan are missing out somewhat. Of course, not every Westerner is fortunate enough to know the joy of waking up on December 25 and finding presents–brought by a benevolent bearded man, no less–under the Christmas tree or at the foot of their bed, but those who are would most likely agree that it’s a pretty spectacular feeling for a kid to have.
But while the rest of the world is coming to realise that the toys they asked for aren’t quite as cool as they’d expected and dreading going back to school or work, kids in Japan are making out like bandits and getting not presents but cold, hard cash on New Year’s Day in the form of otoshidama.
Happy New Year! Here’s a fist full of cash!
In Japan, there are many interesting New Year’s traditions. Aside from watching TV all night, risking your life eating mochi, and indulging in a ton of specially prepared food, those lucky enough to be young receive money.
Otoshidama, roughly translated as “New Year’s gift,” is the act of giving children small, decorated envelopes filled with money during New Year’s. Parents, relatives, and close friends usually give Otoshidama to children in elementary school to high school.
After collecting envelopes full of money from their closest adult relatives and friends, these kids make out like bandits. But just how much are these kids hauling in? The Benesse Corporation conducted a survey of elementary school children to find out.
MOST POPULAR
Now
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
Studio Ghibli celebrates the magic of movie theaters with short video, Hayao Miyazaki illustration
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Are Japanese rice cookers really better than Chinese ones? We test it out and get some surprises
Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events- Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations- You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights- 30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Monthly
- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Studio Ghibli celebrates the magic of movie theaters with short video, Hayao Miyazaki illustration
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Are Japanese rice cookers really better than Chinese ones? We test it out and get some surprises
Classic Japanese painting “Picture Scroll of a Fart Battle” is exactly what it sounds like
23 flavors, five top recommendations for the wide world of Kikkoman soy milk【Taste test】
Hungry and on the go? Top 10 ranking of ekiben at Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station
We tried Dodger Stadium’s Tsukiji Gindaco takoyaki flavor in Japan for its limited release
Mesmerizing time-lapse video shows enormous, intricate maze being drawn over six months【Video】
-
