Japanese New Year Custom for Kids - Otoshidama-
Updated: May 9, 2023
One of the things I loved about Oshogatsu when I was a child but I don’t like about it as an adult is, Otoshidama (お年玉). This is a Japanese New Year custom that children receive some money during the new year. As I grew up in a small family and I had relatives only from my mother’s side, the amount of Otoshidama wasn’t so big. But some of out classmates would collect around 500€ which was a great deal for a 11-year-old child. We would have a competition who got more money. I would never told how much I received since I had only a few relatives.
As an adult, Otoshidama is a completely another story. I haven’t been back to Japan for the new year for a long time and I could somehow manage not to give otoshidama to my nieces and a nephew. But the things have changed since my son was born. His grandma wants to see him and one year, we went to spend the new year in Japan. I had five nieces and nephews at that time and I gave 20 to 30€ each. Ouch….
Now I’m glad I don’t have a big family but still, I will have seven nieces and nephews by next new year. Since my son gets some, I will have to give them too. I better start saving up some money.
But how much do you have to give them? There are some standard amounts.
0 to 5 years old : 1000 yen (9-10€)
6 to 9 years old : 2000 yen (18-20€)
9 to 12 years old : 3000 yen (28-30€)
Secondary school students : 5000 yen (48-50€)
High school to university students : 5000 yen to 10,000 yen (48-100€)
This is just an idea and each family has a slightly different price setting.
If you are giving otoshidama, make sure you prepare new bills and not from your wallet. New bills mean “new start” and “preparation for this new year”. You can have them changed at any banks or post offices. So be prepared.
Also the bills are commonly folded in three. Never fold in four, because number 4 can be pronounced “shi” in Japanese and this sound also reminds Japanese people death (死, “shi”). It’s not so appropriate for a fresh new year.
Here is a video shows you how to fold the bill in three.
References:
When and how much should we give otoshidama? : https://nacchi33.net/entry/2017-10-10-083000/
Otoshidama should be fold in three : https://kosodate19.com/11879.html
More about Japanese New Year
What a wonderful post! The tradition of Otoshidama is such a beautiful way to celebrate the Japanese New Year, and it's a great opportunity to teach children about the value of money. I always love seeing the different designs on the special pochibukuro envelopes.
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Otoshidama was always the best part of New Year as a kid, so I get why it stands out in your memory! I still remember carefully counting my envelopes afterward. These days I keep the memories alive differently, turning old family photos into short clips with muse photo to video so the stories stay with us. Thanks for the nostalgic read! muse photo to video
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