New Year in Japan is one of the most magical times to visit this beautiful country. Unlike Western celebrations, Japanese New Year (called Shogatsu) is a peaceful yet exciting holiday filled with ancient traditions, temple visits, and special countdown events. If you're planning to ring in 2026 in Japan, this guide will help you find the best places to celebrate.
New Year, or Shogatsu, stands as Japan's most important holiday. The entire country pauses between December 29th and January 3rd, with most businesses closing their doors. Families gather together, wearing traditional kimonos, eating special foods, and participating in centuries-old rituals that welcome good fortune for the coming year.
Unlike the party atmosphere you might expect, Japanese New Year carries a more contemplative spirit. At midnight, temple bells ring 108 times across the nation, each chime representing one of humanity's earthly desires according to Buddhist tradition. This practice, called Joya no Kane, creates a profound soundscape that echoes through neighborhoods from mountains to cities.
Tokyo offers the most variety for New Year celebrations. Here are the top spots in Japan's capital city:
Shibuya becomes the epicenter of Tokyo's street celebrations, with thousands gathering around the famous scramble crossing. The energy here pulses with excitement as crowds count down together, creating an electric atmosphere that rivals Times Square. Young people dominate this area, bringing music, cheers, and an infectious enthusiasm that sweeps everyone into the celebration.
Getting there early matters because crowds swell dramatically after 11 PM. The surrounding streets close to traffic, turning the entire district into a pedestrian festival. Convenience stores stay open all night, and many restaurants extend their hours to accommodate revelers who want to celebrate until dawn.
What to expect:
Huge crowds (can get very packed)
Street performances and DJs
Nearby clubs and bars with special events
Best for younger travelers looking for excitement
Just steps from Tokyo Tower sits Zojoji Temple, offering one of the most photographed New Year scenes in Japan. The temple rings its bells at midnight while Tokyo Tower glows brilliantly in the background, creating a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Around 3,000 people typically gather here, making it crowded but not overwhelmingly packed.
The temple distributes amazake, a sweet fermented rice drink, to visitors who brave the winter cold. This warming beverage has been part of Japanese New Year celebrations for centuries, and receiving it from temple staff adds an authentic touch to your experience.
Meiji Shrine welcomes over three million visitors during the first three days of January, making it Japan's most popular hatsumode destination. Hatsumode refers to the first shrine visit of the year, a tradition deeply embedded in Japanese culture. People pray for health, happiness, and prosperity while purchasing lucky charms and decorative arrows called hamaya.
Arriving just after midnight on January 1st gives you a unique experience, though you'll share it with massive crowds. The atmosphere feels reverent despite the numbers, with people patiently queuing to reach the main hall. The shrine stays open throughout the night, and special food stalls line the approach, selling everything from hot amazake to grilled mochi.
What happens:
Temple bells ring 108 times at midnight (Joya no Kane)
People pray for good fortune in the new year
Free amazake (sweet rice wine) is often served
You can buy lucky charms and make wishes
Important: Expect very long lines from midnight until the next afternoon. Dress warmly and be patient.
Unlike many countries, Japan doesn't have massive fireworks displays on New Year's Eve. However, there are some special events where you can catch Japan New Year fireworks:
Both Disney parks in Tokyo usually have special New Year's Eve celebrations with fireworks and countdown shows. These require advance reservations and special tickets.
Why visit:
Spectacular fireworks shows
Special parade and performances
Family-friendly atmosphere
Limited crowds (ticketed event)
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Yokohama hosts one of the Kanto region's most impressive New Year fireworks displays, typically launching around midnight on January 1st. The waterfront location means fireworks reflect off the bay's calm waters, doubling their visual impact. Yamashita Park and the area around Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse provide excellent viewing spots with minimal obstructions.
The show combines traditional Japanese fireworks artistry with modern pyrotechnic techniques. You'll see everything from massive chrysanthemum-shaped bursts to rapid-fire sequences that paint the entire sky. The frigid January air makes the colors appear more vivid, and the sound carries differently than in summer, creating a unique sensory experience.
Odaiba occasionally features special New Year countdown events that include fireworks, though these vary by year. The Rainbow Bridge provides a stunning backdrop, and the area's modern architecture creates an almost futuristic setting for celebrating. Check current year announcements closer to December to confirm if fireworks are scheduled.
When Odaiba does host fireworks, the viewing experience feels intimate despite the crowds because the waterfront spreads people out naturally. Nearby shopping malls and restaurants offer warm places to retreat between outdoor activities, making this location particularly family-friendly.
Osaka Castle Park sometimes features New Year events with fireworks, though traditional bell-ringing ceremonies at temples remain more common in the Kansai region. Universal Studios Japan typically hosts a spectacular countdown party with fireworks, but this requires park admission and advance tickets.
Kyoto takes a more traditional approach, with most celebrations centered around temples rather than pyrotechnics. However, the spiritual atmosphere at places like Chion-in Temple, which rings a massive bell requiring 17 monks to operate, offers something no fireworks display can match.
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While Tokyo attracts most international visitors, other Japanese cities offer equally memorable New Year experiences with their own unique character.
Kyoto's ancient temples create an atmosphere that transports you back centuries. Chion-in Temple's bell weighs 74 tons and produces a deep, resonating tone that you feel in your chest. Watching monks work together to ring this massive bell connects you to centuries of tradition in a way few modern celebrations can.
Kiyomizu Temple offers views over Kyoto from its famous wooden platform, and the climb through the old city streets at midnight feels magical. The temple stays open all night, and the path leading to it fills with people making their hatsumode pilgrimage.
Osaka brings a livelier, more boisterous energy to New Year celebrations compared to Tokyo's massive crowds or Kyoto's contemplative atmosphere. The Dotonbori area along the canal becomes a spontaneous party, with people counting down together and celebrating with typical Osakan enthusiasm.
Local restaurants in Osaka are more likely to stay open during the holiday period, reflecting the city's reputation as Japan's kitchen. You'll find it easier to grab meals and celebrate in a more relaxed way here than in other major cities.
Sapporo offers a completely different New Year experience, with snow-covered streets and freezing temperatures adding a winter wonderland quality to celebrations. The city sometimes hosts outdoor events with snow sculptures and ice bars, combining New Year festivities with winter festival elements.
The cold weather keeps crowds smaller than in warmer regions, making this appealing for travelers who want to avoid massive groups. Hot beverages and warming foods become even more appreciated when you're celebrating in sub-zero temperatures.
Closed December 31 - January 3:
Most shops and restaurants
Many museums and attractions
Government offices
Banks
Open:
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson)
Some restaurants in tourist areas
Department stores (limited hours)
Tourist attractions (check individual websites)
Celebrating the New Year in Japan will be an experience you'll never forget. The combination of ancient traditions and modern celebrations creates something truly unique. From watching monks ring giant temple bells to counting down in Tokyo's busiest intersections, Japan offers something for every type of traveler.
Start planning early, book your accommodations soon, and prepare for an amazing adventure. Whether you're seeking the best place to celebrate New Year in Japan with huge crowds or quiet temple visits, this incredible country has it all.
Happy New Year, or as they say in Japan: "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!"
