Japan’s Zodiac Take on the Year of the Snake
Sssssimply Irresistible
You don’t have to be an astrology enthusiast to find signs of the zodiac in Japan. From souvenirs to subway posters, zodiac animals make frequent and festive appearances in daily life here.
When I was a kid, my favorite thing about going to our local Chinese restaurant wasn’t the food (even though it was great). It was the placemats. You know the ones—bright red, with a circle of animals from the Chinese zodiac and their personality traits listed like horoscopes. I used to read them over and over, deciding if the characteristics of the animals matched up with my family and friends.
Japan’s zodiac traces its roots to the ancient Chinese tradition that inspired those placemats I loved. Historians believe the zodiac made its way to Japan around 700 to 800 AD, and while the animals are mostly the same, Japan has put its own cultural spin on the tradition over the centuries.
Right now, we are now living in the Year of the Snake. Starting in January, images of last year’s zodiac animal, the dragon, were replaced by serpents of all shapes and sizes.
My daughter was born in the Year of the Snake twelve years ago. For a long time, she wasn’t thrilled about that. “Snakes aren’t cute,” she would say. But, her opinion has definitely changed in Japan—and especially this year when adorable snakes began to pop up wherever we went.
In Japan, everything becomes cute… even snakes! This year we’ve seen adorable snake-themed crafts, snacks, decorations, and even subway warning signs that feature charming illustrations of snakes.
Earlier this year, I traveled to Koriyama City in Fukushima Prefecture as a tour monitor for a Tokyo travel agency. One of the highlights was visiting Deco Yashiki Daikokuya, where I got to decorate my own Year of the Snake figurine. It was a memorable, hands-on way to connect with the tradition—and to appreciate how Japan brings warmth and creativity to even the slithery members of the zodiac.
Are you a bold tiger? A loyal dog? A clever monkey? Whether you’re a snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, boar, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit or dragon, the Japanese have a cute version for you!
I LOVED those placemats too at Chinese restaurants. I'd forgotten my animal and just had to look it up-- a wood tiger. Thanks for the great reminder and sharing all these pictures and insights from Japan. You all are thriving there!