Oosouji is the Japanese tradition of end-of-year cleaning that literally means “great cleansing,” and has its roots in Shinto beliefs. The Oosouji became a means of purifying one’s environment to welcome the New Year and the kami (Shinto spirits or deities). The ritual also symbolizes the end of bad experiences, regrets and failures of the past year, paving the way for a new beginning.

Oosouji is much more than a routine house-cleaning. It’s an exhaustive cleaning of the entire house, where every nook and cranny is carefully treated. From windows to baseboards, from the underside of furniture to the back of appliances, nothing is left to chance. Japanese families take this task very seriously, and it’s common to see all members actively participating in the housework.

The process also involves the sorting and elimination of unnecessary or cumbersome items, reflecting the Japanese concept of “mottainai,” which expresses regret at waste. This step creates a more uncluttered and serene space, ready to welcome in the New Year. In the offices, old papers are discarded and files reorganized. As for the students, they tidy up their desks, taking part in the collective purification effort.

HOW TO PERFORM OOSOUJI AT HOME

Here practical advice for integrating this spirit of deep cleaning into your end-of-year routine:

• Planning and preparation: Set a date for your big clean and prepare all the necessary tools in advance.
• Zoning: Divide the work by dividing your home into several zones, either by room or by category of object.
• Decluttering: Take the opportunity to sort through your belongings and get rid of unnecessary items.
• Deep cleaning: Clean every nook and cranny, including often overlooked areas such as behind appliances or the tops of cupboards.
• Organization and tidying: Reorganize your spaces to create a more functional and serene environment.

Don’t hesitate to involve all family members in this process, as the Japanese traditionally do. This can be an excellent opportunity to prepare together for New Year’s Day in Japan (their biggest holiday), creating an atmosphere conducive to celebration and renewal.

TIPS ON HOW TO CLEAN

• From top to bottom. Start with the heights of the furniture and gradually go down to the final step, which is sweeping and mopping the floors.
• Follow clockwise. The goal is to start and finish in the same place to have the feeling of having closed a circle.
• Use boxes and try to donate. That’s better than throwing away. You never know which person is going to use something that you no longer need.
• Have trash bags on hand. It is to easily throw away everything that we do not need and the dirt that we have removed.
• Fix little things. A snag on a cushion, a stain on a carpet or a scratch on a piece of furniture. Fixing those small details goes a long way. Damage affects our mood.
• Let the whole house participate. Never decide about the personal belongings of your family members; let each person decide for themselves.

ADAPTING OOSOUJI:  LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

Although Oosouji is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, its principles can be adapted and appreciated in other cultural contexts. The idea of an annual cleansing as a means of purification and renewal can be universally appealing. It offers an opportunity for reflection and refocusing, while creating a clean and orderly environment for the year ahead.

In an international context, Oosouji can be seen as a practice of mindfulness and gratitude towards one’s living space. It can be combined with other end-of-year traditions, such as the festival of seven herbs (Nanakusa no sekku), to create a meaningful personal or family ritual. The key is to capture the spirit of Oosouji: a moment of pause to clean up, tidy up, and prepare mentally and physically for a fresh start.

By adopting certain aspects of Oosouji, we can not only improve our physical environment, but also cultivate an attitude of respect and gratitude towards our living space. This practice can help us to leave behind negative energies, as the Japanese symbolically do, and welcome the New Year with a renewed spirit and harmonious environment.

Sources:

1. I.D.O. “Ôsôji: Japanese-Style Cleaning.” Japan Experience, Japan Experience, 18 May 2024, www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/understanding-japan/osoji-le-grand-nettoyage-a-la-japonaise. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.

2. “Oosouji. The Japanese Method to Clean Your House.” Home Healthy Home, Home Healthy Home, home-healthy-home.com/en-gb/blogs/blog/oosouji-el-metodo-japones-para-limpiar-la-casa-que-cada-vez-siguen-mas-personas. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.