初売り

• Reading: はつうり
• Romaji: hatsuuri
• Kanji breakdown: 初 (first, beginning) + 売り (selling, sale) → the first sale of the new year
• Pronunciation: /ha.tsɯ.u.ɾi/

Meaning

The first sale of the New Year, held by retail stores on January 1st to 3rd with special deals and lucky bags.

The 初売り is one of Japan's biggest shopping events, marked by massive discounts, 福袋 (lucky bags), and long queues. Department stores, electronics shops, and brand stores offer their best deals of the year. It's a cultural tradition closely tied to the New Year holiday spirit. People plan strategies for which stores to hit first, and the atmosphere is festive and competitive.

Examples

1. 初売りでヨドバシ行ったらもう長蛇の列だったよ。 I went to Yodobashi for the New Year sale and there was already a huge line.
2. 毎年初売りのために年末にお金使わないようにしてる。 Every year I make sure not to spend money at the end of December so I have cash for the New Year sales.
3. 初売りで50%オフだったからコート2着も買っちゃった。 Everything was 50% off at the New Year sale so I ended up buying two coats.

Usage Guide

Context: New Year shopping, daily conversation, social media

Tone: excited, festive

Do Say

• 初売りいつから？朝何時に並ぶ？ (When does the New Year sale start? What time do we line up?)
• 初売りで狙ってたバッグが安くなってて即買いした。 (The bag I was eyeing went on sale at the New Year sale and I bought it immediately.)

Don't Say

• 「初売りなんて行列するだけ無駄」と正月の楽しみにしてる人に言わない (Don't tell people who look forward to the New Year sale that 'it's a waste to stand in line')

Common Mistakes

• Thinking 初売り is just another sale — it's a culturally significant New Year tradition with unique offerings not available at regular sales

Origin & History

From 初 (first) + 売り (sale/selling). A traditional Japanese commerce custom dating to the Edo period when merchants opened for the first time after New Year. Modern 初売り has become a major retail event.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period origins, modern commercial form established in the Showa era

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Start dates vary — some stores begin January 1st, others January 2nd. Electronics retailers like Yodobashi Camera are especially popular.