Quick View 👀

Reading Time: 10 minutes
Level: All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
What You’ll Learn:

• How to write authentic Japanese seasonal greeting cards ✉️
• Essential phrases for formal and casual situations 📝
• Cultural etiquette that makes a lasting impression 🎎
• Ready-to-use templates you can send today 🎨

Perfect for: Japanese learners in Vancouver, Canada, and the US who want to deepen relationships with Japanese friends, host families, teachers, colleagues, or business contacts! 🌎

Why Japanese Greeting Cards Matter More Than You Think 💌

In North America, we might send the occasional holiday card, but in Japan, seasonal greeting cards are a serious cultural practice that can make or break relationships!

The Cultural Significance 🎌

In Japan, greeting cards are:

• A sign of respect and thoughtfulness 🙏
• A way to maintain wa (和 – harmony) in relationships
• An opportunity to show you remember and value someone
• Essential for business relationships
• A beautiful tradition dating back centuries

What this means for you: Learning to write proper greeting cards shows Japanese people that you understand and respect their culture—this creates instant rapport! ✨

Real-World Impact 🌟

For learners in Vancouver & Canada:

• Impress your Japanese language teacher 📚
• Strengthen bonds with exchange partners 🤝
• Stand out to Japanese employers or clients 💼
• Maintain relationships with host families from study abroad 🏠
• Show cultural awareness in multicultural Vancouver! 🍁

🎍 Part 1: 年賀状 (Nengajō) – Japanese New Year’s Cards

What Is a 年賀状? 🎊

年賀状 (ねんがじょう / nengajō) is Japan’s New Year’s greeting card tradition—and it’s HUGE!

Key Facts:

• 📅 Sent: Between January 1–7 (traditionally delivered ON January 1st!)
• 📮 Volume: Japan Post delivers over 2 billion nengajō each year!
• 🎨 Design: Often features the zodiac animal for that year
• ✍️ Style: Handwritten personal messages add special warmth

Why New Year’s Is THE Most Important Holiday 🎌

Unlike Western culture where Christmas is biggest, Japanese New Year (お正月 / oshōgatsu) is the ultimate holiday:

• Families reunite from across the country 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Businesses close for days (rare in Japan!) 🏢
• Fresh start mentality—cleaning, fresh clothes, fresh goals 🌅
• Visiting shrines for good fortune 🏯
• Special foods (おせち料理 / osechi ryōri) prepared 🍱

Cultural insight: Sending a nengajō shows you understand this importance and want to start the year with that person in your life. ❤️

When to Send (Critical Timing!) ⏰

Deadline for January 1st delivery:

• 🇯🇵 In Japan: Mail by December 25th
• 🇨🇦 From Canada/US: Mail by early-mid December (international mail is slow!)

Alternative: Send digitally through LINE or email by January 1st if postal mail won’t arrive in time.

Important exception: If someone experienced a death in the family during the past year, they send 喪中はがき (mochū hagaki) to inform you NOT to send nengajō. Respect this! 🙏

✍️ How to Write a Perfect 年賀状

The 3-Part Structure 📋

Every nengajō follows this proven formula:

① Opening Greeting (挨拶)

The first line—always at the top!

Most Common:

あけましておめでとうございます。

(Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu.)

Happy New Year!

Variations by formality:

Vancouver tip: When in doubt, use あけましておめでとうございます—it’s polite but warm! 😊

② Expression of Gratitude (感謝)

Thank them for the previous year’s relationship.

Standard phrase:

昨年は大変お世話になりました。

(Sakunen wa taihen osewa ni narimashita.)

Thank you for all your support last year.

Variations:

Formal/Business:

昨年中は格別のご厚情を賜り、誠にありがとうございました。

(Sakunenchū wa kakubetsu no gokōjō wo tamawari, makoto ni arigatō gozaimashita.)

Thank you very much for your special kindness throughout last year.

Casual/Friends:

去年はいろいろありがとう！

(Kyonen wa iroiro arigatō!)

Thanks for everything last year!

If you just met them:

昨年は素敵な出会いに恵まれ、嬉しく思っております。

(Sakunen wa suteki na deai ni megumare, ureshiku omotte orimasu.)

I was blessed with a wonderful meeting last year and am very happy.

③ Wishes for the New Year (抱負・願い)

Express hopes for the coming year’s relationship.

Standard phrase:

本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

(Honnen mo dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.)

I look forward to your continued support this year.

Variations:

More Formal:

本年も変わらぬご指導のほど、よろしくお願い申し上げます。

(Honnen mo kawaranu goshidō no hodo, yoroshiku onegai mōshiagemasu.)

I humbly request your continued guidance this year.

Casual:

今年もよろしくね！

(Kotoshi mo yoroshiku ne!)

Let’s have a great year together!

For teachers specifically:

本年もご指導ご鞭撻のほど、よろしくお願い申し上げます。

(Honnen mo goshidō gobentatsu no hodo, yoroshiku onegai mōshiagemasu.)

I humbly request your continued teaching and encouragement this year.

🎨 Complete 年賀状 Examples

Example 1: To Your Japanese Language Teacher 👨‍🏫

謹賀新年

昨年は大変お世話になりました。

先生のおかげで日本語が上達し、

日本文化への理解も深まりました。

本年もご指導のほど、

どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

良い一年になりますように。

令和7年 元旦

[Your Name]

Translation: Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support last year. Thanks to you, my Japanese improved, and my understanding of Japanese culture deepened.

I look forward to your continued guidance this year.

May you have a wonderful year.

January 1, 2025 [Your Name]

Example 2: To a Japanese Friend (Casual) 👋

あけましておめでとう！🎍

去年はいっぱい楽しかったね！

バンクーバーで一緒に過ごした時間は

忘れられない思い出になったよ。

今年もたくさん会おうね！

元気で良い年にしよう！

2025年 元旦

[Your Name]

Translation: Happy New Year!

Last year was so much fun! The time we spent together in Vancouver became an unforgettable memory.

Let’s meet lots this year too! Stay healthy and have a great year!

January 1, 2025 [Your Name]

Example 3: To a Host Family 🏠❤️

あけましておめでとうございます。

昨年は温かく迎えてくださり、

本当にありがとうございました。

日本での生活は私の宝物です。

カナダから、皆様のご健康と

ご多幸をお祈りしております。

本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

令和7年 元旦

[Your Name]

バンクーバーより

Translation: Happy New Year.

Thank you so much for welcoming me warmly last year. My time living in Japan is my treasure.

From Canada, I pray for everyone’s health and happiness.

I look forward to staying in touch this year.

January 1, 2025 [Your Name] From Vancouver

Example 4: Business/Professional Contact 💼

謹賀新年

旧年中は格別のご厚情を賜り、

厚く御礼申し上げます。

本年も社員一同、

より一層努力してまいる所存でございますので、

変わらぬご愛顧のほど、

よろしくお願い申し上げます。

皆様のご健勝とご発展を

心よりお祈り申し上げます。

令和7年 元旦

[Company Name]

[Your Name]

Translation: Happy New Year.

Thank you very much for your special kindness last year.

This year, all our staff members will continue to work even harder, so we humbly request your continued patronage.

We sincerely wish for everyone’s health and prosperity.

January 1, 2025 [Company Name] [Your Name]

☀️ Part 2: 暑中見舞い (Shochū Mimai) – Summer Greeting Cards

What Is 暑中見舞い? 🌞

暑中見舞い (しょちゅうみまい / shochū mimai) = Summer greeting card sent during Japan’s brutal hot season!

Purpose:

• Check on someone’s health during extreme heat 🌡️
• Maintain relationships during the “quiet season” 💚
• Show you’re thinking of them 💭
• Express seasonal awareness (very Japanese!) 🎐

Critical Timing! 📅

暑中見舞い Period: 🗓️ July 15 – August 7 (during 暑中 / shochū – peak summer heat)

After August 7? It becomes 残暑見舞い (ざんしょみまい / zansho mimai) = “late summer greeting”!

Why August 7? Traditional Japanese calendar marks this as 立秋 (risshū) = “beginning of autumn,” even though it’s still hot! 🍂

Vancouver connection: While Vancouver summers are mild compared to Japan’s humid 35°C+ heat, understanding this tradition shows cultural knowledge! 🇨🇦

✍️ How to Write a Perfect 暑中見舞い

The 4-Part Structure 📋

① Seasonal Opening (季節の挨拶)

Standard phrase:

暑中お見舞い申し上げます。

(Shochū omimai mōshiagemasu.)

Summer greetings to you.

Alternative (after August 7):

残暑お見舞い申し上げます。

(Zansho omimai mōshiagemasu.)

Late summer greetings to you.

Casual version:

暑中お見舞い！

② Ask About Their Well-Being (相手の様子を尋ねる)

Formal:

暑い日が続いておりますが、お元気でお過ごしでしょうか。

(Atsui hi ga tsuzuite orimasuga, ogenki de osugoshi deshōka.)

The hot days continue—I hope you are doing well.

厳しい暑さが続きますが、お変わりありませんか。

(Kibishii atsusa ga tsuzukimasuga, okawari arimasenka.)

The severe heat continues—are you well?

Casual:

暑いね！元気にしてる？

(Atsui ne! Genki ni shiteru?)

It’s hot! How are you doing?

③ Personal Update (Optional) (近況報告)

私は元気に過ごしております。

(Watashi wa genki ni sugoshite orimasu.)

I have been doing well.

おかげさまで、家族一同元気に過ごしております。

(Okagesama de, kazoku ichidō genki ni sugoshite orimasu.)

Thanks to you, my whole family is doing well.

Vancouver context:

バンクーバーは涼しく快適な夏を過ごしております。

(Bankūbā wa suzushiku kaiteki na natsu wo sugoshite orimasu.)

I’m enjoying a cool and comfortable summer in Vancouver.

④ Closing Wishes (結びの言葉)

Most common:

どうぞご自愛ください。

(Dōzo gojiai kudasai.)

Please take good care of yourself.

お体にお気をつけてお過ごしください。

(Okarada ni otsuke oshite osugoshi kudasai.)

Please take care of your health.

くれぐれもお体を大切になさってください。

(Kureguremo okarada wo taisetsu ni nasatte kudasai.)

Please treasure your health above all.

Casual:

夏バテしないようにね！

(Natsubate shinai yō ni ne!)

Don’t get summer fatigue!

🎨 Complete 暑中見舞い Examples

Example 1: To a Japanese Friend 👋

暑中お見舞い申し上げます。

日本は今年もすごく暑いみたいだね。

バンクーバーは涼しくて快適だよ。

体調崩さないように気をつけてね。

また近いうちに連絡するね！

どうぞお元気で。

2025年7月

[Your Name]

Translation: Summer greetings!

I heard Japan is really hot again this year. Vancouver is cool and comfortable.

Be careful not to get sick. I’ll contact you again soon!

Stay healthy.

July 2025 [Your Name]

Example 2: To a Teacher (Formal) 👨‍🏫

暑中お見舞い申し上げます。

厳しい暑さが続きますが、

お健やかにお過ごしのことと存じます。

日頃のご指導に心より感謝しております。

どうぞご自愛くださいませ。

令和7年 盛夏

[Your Name]

Translation: Summer greetings.

The severe heat continues, but I trust you are in good health.

I am deeply grateful for your daily guidance.

Please take care of yourself.

Mid-summer, 2025 [Your Name]

Example 3: To a Host Family 🏠

暑中お見舞い申し上げます。

暑い毎日が続いていますが、

皆様お元気でいらっしゃいますか。

カナダは涼しく過ごしやすい季節で、

日本での夏を懐かしく思い出しています。

くれぐれもお体にお気をつけてください。

2025年7月

バンクーバーより

[Your Name]

Translation: Summer greetings.

Hot days continue, but is everyone doing well?

Canada is in a cool and pleasant season, and I fondly remember summers in Japan.

Please take very good care of yourselves.

July 2025 From Vancouver [Your Name]

Example 4: Business Contact 💼

暑中お見舞い申し上げます。

平素は格別のご高配を賜り、

厚く御礼申し上げます。

猛暑の折、

くれぐれもご自愛くださいますよう

お祈り申し上げます。

令和7年 盛夏

[Company Name]

[Your Name]

Translation: Summer greetings.

Thank you very much for your continued special consideration.

During this intense heat, I sincerely hope you will take care of yourself.

Mid-summer, 2025 [Company Name] [Your Name]

📊 Quick Comparison: 年賀状 vs 暑中見舞い

✨ Pro Tips for Writing Authentic Cards

Tip 1: Master the Formality Levels 🎯

Choose the right level for your relationship:

When in doubt? Go one level MORE formal—it’s better to be too polite than too casual! 🙏

Tip 2: Avoid These Topics! ⛔

Never mention in greeting cards:

• Illness or health problems 🏥
• Deaths (unless specifically a 喪中はがき) ⚰️
• Complaints or negative events 😞
• Work/money stress 💸
• Politics or controversial topics 🗳️

Why? Greeting cards are for positive wishes and fresh starts—negativity is culturally inappropriate!

Tip 3: Use Seasonal Imagery 🎨

For 年賀状:

• 🐉 Zodiac animal for that year (2025 = Snake 蛇)
• 🗻 Mt. Fuji (富士山)
• 🌅 Sunrise (初日の出 / hatsuhinode)
• 🎍 Pine and bamboo decorations
• 🌸 Plum blossoms (梅)
• 🎴 Traditional patterns

For 暑中見舞い:

• 🌻 Sunflowers (向日葵 / himawari)
• 🍉 Watermelon (スイカ)
• 🎐 Wind chimes (風鈴 / fūrin)
• 🎆 Fireworks (花火)
• 🏖️ Beach scenes
• 🥒 Cucumber (涼しげ / suzushige – “cool feeling”)

Tip 4: Handwriting Matters! ✍️

Even if your handwriting isn’t perfect:

• Handwritten Japanese shows effort and sincerity 💝
• Use a pen (not pencil) for formality
• Write slowly and neatly—better slow than messy!
• Practice common characters: 年、賀、暑、見、舞

Vancouver tip: Japanese stationery stores (Daiso, Oomomo) sell practice sheets! 📝

Tip 5: Date Format 📅

Traditional Japanese dating:

For nengajō:

令和7年 元旦

(Reiwa 7-nen gantan)

= January 1, 2025

For shochū mimai:

令和7年 盛夏

(Reiwa 7-nen seika)

= Mid-summer, 2025

Alternative (more casual):

2025年7月

(2025-nen 7-gatsu)

= July 2025

Tip 6: Digital vs Physical Cards 📱✉️

Physical cards (traditional): ✅ Shows maximum effort and respect
✅ Tangible keepsake
✅ Best for formal relationships
⏰ Must plan ahead for international shipping

Digital cards (modern): ✅ Instant delivery
✅ Good for close friends
✅ Environmentally friendly
⚠️ Less formal—avoid for business/teachers

Vancouver insight: For friends in Japan, physical cards from Canada are special because of the international postage stamp! 🇨🇦🇯🇵

Tip 7: Reply Etiquette 🔄

If you receive a nengajō:

• Reply by January 7th if possible
• If you receive one unexpectedly, send one back ASAP (even if it arrives late, it’s better than nothing!)
• Keep their card—it’s rude to throw away immediately

If you receive a shochū mimai:

• Reply with a 残暑見舞い (after August 7)
• Or reply before August 7 with another 暑中見舞い
• Acknowledge their greeting in your reply

🎓 Practice Templates (Copy & Customize!)

Template 1: Standard 年賀状 (Polite/Safe for most situations)

あけましておめでとうございます。

昨年は大変お世話になりました。

[Add personal sentence about last year]

本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

[Add wish for new year]

令和7年 元旦

[Your Name]

Fill-in examples:

• 昨年は大変お世話になりました。→ 昨年は楽しい時間をありがとうございました。
• [Add wish] → 良い一年になりますように。

Template 2: Casual 年賀状 (Friends)

あけましておめでとう！

[Personal message about last year]

今年も[what you want to do together]ね！

2025年 元旦

[Your Name]

Fill-in examples:

• [Personal message] → 去年は一緒にたくさん遊べて楽しかった！
• [Activity] → たくさん会おう / 連絡しよう / 遊ぼう

Template 3: Formal 年賀状 (Business/Teachers)

謹賀新年

昨年中は格別のご厚情を賜り、

誠にありがとうございました。

本年も[your role/goal]、

よろしくお願い申し上げます。

皆様のご健勝とご発展を

心よりお祈り申し上げます。

令和7年 元旦

[Your Name/Company]

Template 4: Standard 暑中見舞い (Polite)

暑中お見舞い申し上げます。

暑い日が続いておりますが、

お元気でお過ごしでしょうか。

[Optional: Personal update]

どうぞご自愛ください。

令和7年 [Month]

[Your Name]

Template 5: Casual 暑中見舞い (Friends)

暑中見舞い！

暑いけど元気にしてる？

[Personal message]

夏バテしないようにね！

2025年[Month]

[Your Name]

🌍 Special Tips for Vancouver & Canadian Learners

Mailing from Canada 🇨🇦✉️

Practical considerations:

Timing:

• 🎄 Nengajō: Mail by December 10-15 to arrive by January 1
• ☀️ Shochū mimai: Mail by early July

Where to buy supplies in Vancouver:

• Daiso (multiple locations) – postcards, stationery
• Oomomo (Richmond) – Japanese stationery
• Konbiniya (Downtown) – greeting card supplies
• Online: Amazon.ca, Etsy (search “Japanese postcards”)

Postage:

• International postcard rate: ~$1.30-2.65 CAD
• Check Canada Post for current rates

Address format:

[Recipient’s name] 様

[Address in Japanese]

JAPAN

From:

[Your name]

[Your Canadian address]

CANADA

Digital Alternatives 📲

Popular in Japan:

• LINE: Send digital greeting cards through stickers/messages
• Email: Attach a designed greeting card image
• Social media: Post a greeting (less personal but acceptable for acquaintances)

Vancouver advantage: Time zone difference means you can send digital greetings on December 31st evening (PST) and they’ll receive it January 1st morning (JST)! 🌏

💡 Common Mistakes to Avoid!

Mistake 1: Using the wrong zodiac animal ❌

2025 = Year of the Snake (蛇 / hebi)

Every year changes! Check before designing your card.

Mistake 2: Writing 元日 instead of 元旦 for the date ❌

Correct: 令和7年 元旦
Incorrect: 令和7年 元日

(Both mean “New Year’s Day” but 元旦 is standard for cards)

Mistake 3: Sending 暑中見舞い after August 7 ❌

August 8 onwards = 残暑見舞い (zansho mimai)

Change the opening line!

Mistake 4: Too much personal information ❌

Keep it brief and positive!

Don’t write a novel—3-5 sentences is perfect.

Mistake 5: Forgetting the recipient’s name marker 様 ❌

Always write: [Name] 様 on the envelope/card

Not just [Name]!

Mistake 6: Mixing casual and formal language ❌

Pick one level and stick with it!

Don’t write: あけおめ！…本年も何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。 (Casual opening + super formal closing = weird!)

📚 Additional Cultural Insights

The 喪中はがき (Mochū Hagaki) Exception 🖤

What is it? A card sent in November-December informing people that due to a family death, you will NOT send nengajō this year.

If you receive one:

• ❌ Do NOT send them a nengajō
• ✅ Send a 寒中見舞い (kanchū mimai) = “winter greeting” in late January instead
• Show respect for their mourning period

Sample 寒中見舞い response:

寒中お見舞い申し上げます。

ご服喪中と存じ、

年始のご挨拶を控えさせていただきました。

寒い日が続きますが、

どうぞお体を大切になさってください。

令和7年1月

Numbers and Superstitions 🔢

Avoid these in greeting cards:

• 4 (四 / shi) = sounds like death (死)
• 9 (九 / ku) = sounds like suffering (苦)

Example: Don’t write about “4 years” or “9 months”!

Regional Variations 🗾

Kansai vs Kanto:

• Kansai people may use slightly different casual expressions
• Hokkaido/Okinawa have unique seasonal considerations
• Standard Tokyo Japanese is safe for all regions

🎉 Ready to Write Your First Card?

You now have everything you need to write authentic Japanese greeting cards! Whether you’re:

• 📚 Thanking your Japanese teacher
• 🤝 Staying in touch with exchange partners
• 💼 Impressing Japanese business contacts
• ❤️ Remembering your host family

These cards will show genuine cultural understanding and strengthen your relationships!

Your Action Plan 📝

This week:

1. Choose one person to send a card to
2. Select the appropriate template
3. Customize with a personal message
4. Practice writing it neatly
5. Mail it or send it digitally!

Monthly:

• Keep a list of people who sent you cards (to reply next year!)
• Add to your Japanese greeting card vocabulary
• Practice seasonal phrases

Yearly:

• Send at least 3-5 nengajō each New Year
• Try one shochū mimai in summer
• Gradually expand your card-sending circle

🎊 Final Thoughts: The Heart of Japanese Connection

Japanese greeting cards are more than just words on paper—they’re cultural bridges, relationship builders, and expressions of omotenashi (おもてなし – Japanese hospitality spirit).

Why This Matters for Vancouver & Canadian Learners 🍁

In multicultural Vancouver and across Canada, understanding these traditions:

• Enriches your Japanese learning beyond textbooks 📚
• Opens doors professionally in Japan-Canada business 💼
• Deepens friendships with Japanese community members 👥
• Shows cultural competence valued in our global city 🌍
• Preserves beautiful traditions in the Japanese-Canadian community 🎌

Your Journey Starts Now 🚀

Don’t wait for perfect Japanese! Start with:

1. One card this year to someone special
2. Simple, heartfelt messages using the templates
3. Learning from the experience for next time
4. Building this beautiful habit year by year

Remember: Every Japanese person who receives your card will smile, touched that you took the time to honor their culture. 💝

🌟 Start Your Greeting Card Practice Today!

This week’s homework: ✏️

• [ ] Choose ONE person to send a card to
• [ ] Select the appropriate template from this guide
• [ ] Write your first draft
• [ ] Practice writing it neatly
• [ ] Send it! (digitally or physically)

Share your success! Tag us on social media or email us your greeting card stories—we love celebrating student achievements! 🎉

📍 Based in Vancouver, BC | Serving Japanese Learners Across Canada, the US, and Worldwide 🌏

🔗 NihongoKnow.com – Your Partner in Authentic Japanese Cultural LearningFrom seasonal greetings to business etiquette, we help you navigate Japanese culture with confidence. Whether you’re in Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle, New York, or anywhere else—let’s master Japanese together! 💌