The second New Year, for those in a "bad year"

Did you know that there is a second New Year on February 1st each year!? It is for people who are in a "bad year", Yakudoshi in Japanese 厄年.  Yakudoshi (厄年) refers to “years of calamity” or “critical ages” in Japanese tradition. They are specific ages believed to bring bad luck, vulnerability, or major life transitions. The idea isn’t about superstition alone; it’s tied to social milestones, physical changes, and psychological turning points.

The second New Year's Day for people in bad years on February 1st is called "Layered or Overlapping New Year's" and "One Night New Year's"! There are also some references to "the second New Year" and "Old New Year". By considering February 1st as the second New Year's Day of the year, it is assumed that you are one year older, and thus your unlucky year is over. Depending on the region, it is also called "aging". It was also considered by some as a second chance to celebrate for those who are unable to celebrate on actual New Years.

During the Edo period, this second New Year celebration was common among ordinary people and considered an important seasonal event. However, after the Meiji government switched Japan to the Western calendar, the practice gradually disappeared and is now rarely seen.