Akemashite, Omedeto Gozaimasu!

Preparing for the New Year Beginning mid-December, greeting cards, nengajo, are collected at the post office but they will not be delivered until New Year's Day when an army of specially hired students will help with the huge task.
Following Shinto tradition, homes are thoroughly cleaned before the New Year. Special food, osechi ryori, is prepared in the days before January 1 so everyone can enjoy New Year's Day together. At night on New Year's eve, many people go to a Buddhist temple to take part in the tolling of the temple bell 108 times. This is a sacred number for Buddhists and it is part of a ceremony that allows the year to begin free of evil.
On New Year's Day Most Japanese families go to a shrine or temple on January 1, to pray for good health and prosperity in the coming year. It is customary to pay a courtesy call to customers, superiors, and others with whom you have a special relationship, bringing them New Year's greetings. On this day, people say, "Akemashite, Omedeto Gozaimasu!" meaning "Happy New Year!" In the evening, traditional pastimes are playing New Year's card games such as karuta and hyakunin isshu.

GLOSSARY
Preparing :Preparando
Delivered: Entregado
Following:Despues
Thoroughly: A fondo
Sacred: Sagrado