What better way to celebrate the New Year than with a Tokyo vacation? Japan celebrates with different traditions and celebrations. Tokyo, especially, holds several countdown events. Whether you're travelling with family or with mates, there are fun activities for everyone during New Year's Eve in Tokyo.
Celebrate New Year's Eve in Tokyo, Japan
New Year is an important holiday in Japan. It's a celebration of new beginnings, and year-end parties are held everywhere to forget last year's troubles. It's also supposed to be a stress-free and work-free day.
Everyone indulges in dinner and drinks on New Year's Eve. One kind of New Year's tradition is to eat toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), as the long noodles symbolize a long life.
But on New Year's Day, the must-have meal is ozouni (soup with rice cakes) and osechi ryori (a bento box of assorted food—all of which have their own symbolisms).
Aside from hearty meals, the Japanese begin the New Year by catching the first sunrise of the year, also known as hatsuhinode. Who wouldn't wanna start the year with a beautiful view? You can actually do it along with another Japanese tradition called hatsumode, which is visiting a shrine on New Year's Day to wish for good fortune.
Since you're spending the New Year in Japan, you might as well be a part of these traditions! Keep reading to find out how and where to eat toshikoshi soba, where to go to for hatsumode, and what else is going on for New Year's Eve in Tokyo for your visit.
Catch the Spectacular Fireworks and New Year Countdown Events
COUNTDOWN JAPAN 23/24
Celebrate the new year! Credits to @60cm_suisoui on Instagram
Countdown Japan is the country's biggest New Year's Eve festival, with around 180,000 attendees. The four-day event is filled with lights, music, and performances that will get you excited for the new year. You can also look forward to heaps of food stalls at Countdown Japan 23/24, selling various treats from grilled meats to sweets, even the traditional toshikoshi soba that you can have before the countdown begins.
Tokyo Disney New Year's Greeting
Greet your fave characters a Happy New Year. Credits to @aya_disneygram on Instagram
Aside from their usual shows and parades, Tokyo Disney Resort will be holding their New Year's Greeting parade, where Mickey and friends don traditional kimonos and say hi to everyone around the park.
Catch the parade at the regular route around Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland, or wave at them from the Mediterranean Harbour as they boat around at Tokyo DisneySea.
They also have special New Year's merchandise and restaurant menus at the parks that you won't want to miss out on. Since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, the resort is celebrating with a special line of items featuring Mushu from Mulan, along with Mickey and Minnie in kimonos and dragon costumes.
Klook Tip: Check the parade schedule ahead of time and head to the route early so you don't miss it while you're on another ride. Plus, you'll get a great view!
Tokyo Joypolis Countdown Event
Imagine an arcade, but better! Credits to @katsuden31 on Instagram
As the name suggests, Tokyo Joypolis brings joy to guests of all ages, especially during the holidays. This indoor amusement park in Odaiba features six zones with different attractions, from arcade games to virtual reality rides.
Tokyo Joypolis is a blast on any regular day, but their New Year's countdown event gets even better with live performances from comedians, lotteries, and unlimited rides and attractions all night long, so you can welcome 2024 with big smiles and loud laughs.
Although there's minimal rain during Tokyo's winter, it's good to know that Tokyo Joypolis is a great destination, no matter the weather, because it's completely indoors. Here are more fun activities you can enjoy on a rainy day in Tokyo.
Yomiuri Land
Prepare to be impressed when you visit Yomiuri Land's Jewellumination event! Credits to @yomiuriland on Instagram
Yomiuri Land is perfect for families since it has lots of fun, kid-friendly rides and attractions! But for those celebrating New Year's Eve in Tokyo, it hosts one of the most popular events of the winter, the Jewellumination.
The entire park is decorated with colourful lights curated by Mitsuko Iishi, a world-renowned lighting designer. This year's theme is "LIGHT IS LOVE," with a special new colour 'Earth Blue Jewelry Color' that'll debut, which symbolizes love for the Earth. There are also fountain shows featuring 188 fountains, a 15m-tall water screen, a laser show, and pyrotechnics.
Want more wintertime activities in Japan? They've got snowy excursions, winter sports, and comforting Japanese delicacies you have to try, all listed here.
Tokyo Tower
Chase the sunrise at Tokyo Tower. Credits to @shiifoncake on Instagram
Whether you're an early riser or just wanna participate in a time-old Japanese tradition, the Tokyo Tower's observation deck is the top (pun intended) spot for seeing the first sunrise of 2024.
At 250m, you'll be able to see the sunrise overlooking Tokyo Bay and the cityscape! You can also pay your respects at the Tower Grand Shine on the second floor of the Main Deck. The observation deck opens at 6:00 on New Year's Day, but if you can't make it, the tower also holds a New Year's countdown with its lights set to change colour at midnight.
Tokyu Silvester Concert
If you prefer to stay home in your pyjamas, then putting the Tokyu Silvester Concert on the TV will help you get into the holiday spirit while feeling extra comfy. Honestly, a great way to begin 2024.
The concert is a live New Year's Eve show featuring the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and a variety of worldwide acts that'll play soothing music as you slurp your toshikoshi soba, enjoy a glass of bubbly, or just hang out with your loved ones.
Tokyo Skytree
Great views with great people—sounds like a perfect start to 2024. Credits to @noowean on Instagram
The Tokyo Skytree offers a special vantage point of the first sunrise of the new year as the tallest tower in Japan. From 634m high, you'll have an exceptional view of the sun rising over the city—you could even get a glimpse of Mount Fuji. Tokyo Skytree also has a glass floor section that'll make you feel like you're walking on air!
The New Year's event is held for a limited time only from January 1-3, so it's best to book your tickets early on Klook before they sell out.
Hilton Tokyo Bay
There's fun for guests of all ages at the Hilton Tokyo Bay. Credits to @xxkana513xx on Instagram
This year, the Hilton Tokyo Bay will be holding three separate New Year's Eve parties for their adult guests.
The Marble Lounge will be transformed into a nightclub complete with a dance floor, a live DJ, unlimited drinks, and a buffet. St. George's Bar will house casino games and live jazz to set the mood. Lastly, Zatta will host live performances for more laidback guests who prefer to enjoy their unlimited drinks in peace. Be sure to make your reservations as soon as you can for a memorable New Year's Eve party.
Begin 2024 with Awesome Year-End Fests in Tokyo
Oji Inari-junja Shrine Fox Parade
Put on your best fox masks for the fox parade. Credits to @carecito on Instagram
This parade may seem out of the box, but it's a unique and meaningful experience. The Oji Inari-junja Shrine Fox parade is inspired by the Japanese legend that foxes gather from all over Japan to visit the Oji Inari-jinja Shrine, a dedication to the deity of foxes.
During the parade, participants wear fox masks and face paint and perform hatsumode at the shrine together. They carry paper lanterns that represent the light of hope and life. Visitors are welcome to join or just observe and follow along.
Geikosai New Year's Festival
Experience the first rays of sunlight of 2024. Credits to @__htm.13__ on Instagram
Make your way to Yakuin, the temple at the top of Mount Takao, for a memorable hatsumode and other New Year celebrations, all part of the Geikosai New Year's Festival.
From midnight until the afternoon on January 1st, the head priest cleanses and purifies the participants in time for the new year through different fire rituals.
Then, just before sunrise, the priests perform Geikosai—a welcoming ceremony for the first sunrise of the year. They chant holy sutras and sound conch shells as the sun rises, making the experience more sacred. Plus, you'll also be able to catch the first glimpse of Mount Fuji in 2024.
Omotesando Illumination
Pray for blessings for the whole year! Credits to @andaztokyo on Instagram
Wish for good health and a good year with the local tradition of visiting the shrines of the Seven Lucky Gods.
Although it's not an organized event, a lot of people continue this tradition to pray to the Seven Lucky Gods for prosperity, beauty, wisdom, longevity, happiness, agriculture, and war against evil spirits. You can easily join in and go at your own pace with many map routes available online.
Meguro River Winter Illumination
t's like spring but in winter! Credits to @koucha_gram on Instagram
There are heaps of light-up events in Tokyo, but what sets the Meguro River Winter Illumination apart is its eco-friendly touch. This event gives visitors a dazzling view of Meguro River, surrounded by 400,000 pink LEDs that resemble cherry blossoms. The lights are all powered by cooking oil waste sourced from local businesses and homes in the area, so it's for a good cause!
Ashigakubo Icicles Illumination
It's like a real-life version of Frozen! Credits to @saitama.japan.official on Instagram
Step into a winter wonderland at the Icicles of Ashigakubo. Here, you'll have a chance to see the illuminated ice sculptures in Yokoze Town. You can visit during the day or the evening, but the icicles are definitely more enchanting at night! It's a small, snowy escape from the city that will get you in the holiday spirit.
Tokyo Mega Illumination
Have a chill night out here if you're spending New Year's Eve in Tokyo. Credits to @wakametravel on Instagram
Every year, the Oi Racecourse is transformed into a field of lights for the Tokyo Mega Illumination. It's a seasonal light-up event featuring "water fireworks" or choreographed water shows, live entertainment, and delicious food stalls that differ each day. They also have a genfukei, which is an installation resembling rice fields.
Yebisu Garden Place Illumination
It's perfect for date night. Credits to @yebisu_garden_place on Instagram
The Baccarat Eternal Lights at Yebisu Garden Place is the definition of a winter wonderland. The elegant display features a 10-metre-tall Christmas tree and a giant crystal chandelier that sets a romantic mood, so it's a must-visit for couples. There are also several food trucks around serving mulled wine, hot chocolate, and delicious local food, as well as a DJ playing holiday tunes.
Midtown Ice Rink
Skate you later! Credits to @giovenny_mimi on Instagram
Winter just isn't complete without ice skating. Fortunately, an ice skating rink opens every winter at Tokyo Midtown. Guests of all skill levels—yes, even beginners—can dance and glide about on the ice.
Klook Tip: The rink can get crowded on weekends and holidays, so visiting on weekday evenings is best!
Hibiya Magic Time Illumination
These illuminated displays are hard to miss! Credits to @mu_ykyk on Instagram
For the Hibiya Magic Time Illumination event, Tokyo Hibiya Midtown and the nearby streets are completely covered with thematic multi-coloured lights.
This year's Hibiya Illumination is themed "Moment of Excitement," and there are three exciting areas to see at Tokyo Hibiya Midtown, at Hibiya Step Square, and at the building's Park View Garden. Each has its own impressive light displays, but the Park View Garden is out of this world as it's filled with glittering white lights that resemble the Milky Way.
Marunouchi Illumination 2023
Be transported into a twinkling wonderland. Credits to @buninjapan on Instagram
Just near Hibiya, the Marunouchi area also holds its own magical light-up event. The trees along Nakadori Avenue are strewn with a million fairy lights that really give the area a winter feel. There are even illuminated sculptures along the sidewalks, an ice skating rink, a mini merry-go-round, and plenty of food stalls!
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
There's a ton to see at Tokyo Dome City. Credits to @michi__suki_0128 on Instagram
If a million lights at Marunouchi don't impress you, then perhaps the two million lights scattered around Tokyo Dome City will! Tokyo Dome City encompasses the massive Tokyo Dome, the Tokyo Dome City Attractions amusement park, and Korakuen Hall. That's a pretty big space, so when it's covered entirely in glittering lights from the trees to the buildings, it's absolutely magical.
With all the enchanting illuminations, Japanese traditions, and year-end events, we know you're just as excited for New Year's Eve and 2024 as we are. While most of these events and activities are free, some require tickets and small fees, so make sure to book your tickets as early as you can on Klook for great deals and to secure your spot!
Wanna explore other parts of Japan after the New Year festivities in Tokyo? We've got a complete guide on how you can get from Tokyo to Osaka, another popular city in Japan, right here.
