New Year's Eve in Tokyo 2024-2025

In Japan, New Year's Eve is a family-centered holiday, distinct from Western celebrations. Families often gather to visit temples and perform rituals to invite good fortune for the coming year. On the final day of the old year, many Japanese visit shrines to make offerings, such as kagami mochi—a traditional rice cake stack presented to honor the gods. These customs, along with other spiritual practices, emphasize renewal, respect for tradition, and a hopeful start to the new year.

Shrines & Temples

On New Year’s Eve in Japan, shrines and temples remain open all night, allowing people to pray, perform rites, and welcome the New Year with customs unique to Japan. Notable spots like Zojoji Temple near Tokyo Tower, Gohyakurakanji Temple, and Hie Shrine draw visitors eager to witness traditions such as Joya no Kane—a bell-ringing ceremony symbolizing renewal. Here, temple bells ring 108 times to cleanse people of worldly desires, with the final chime marking midnight and the beginning of the New Year. After the new year begins, people participate in Hatsumōde, the first shrine or temple visit from January 1 to 3, offering prayers for prosperity, safety, and good health in the coming year.

Traditional Celebrations

In Tokyo, New Year celebrations are steeped in tradition, with kadomatsu and shimekazari adorning homes, shops, and hotels to invite good fortune. Families often tune in to NHK's annual Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red-and-White Song Battle) on New Year's Eve, a long-running, 4.5-hour music show featuring popular artists in a friendly team competition. Traditional foods like toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles) are eaten to cut away the year's hardships. At the same time, ozoni soup with mochi and osechi ryōri are enjoyed for their symbolic meanings of luck, longevity, and prosperity. Exchanging nengajō, or New Year's postcards, is also popular, with some even including lottery numbers for a bit of extra holiday excitement.

The Ōji Fox Parade

The Ōji Fox Parade in Tokyo offers a fascinating way to ring in the New Year with a blend of folklore and festivity. This lesser-known tradition stems from a legend of foxes dressing as humans to visit Ōji Inari Shrine on New Year’s Eve. Today, it’s humans who don fox-themed attire, with kimonos, fox ears, or face paint, and parade to the shrine for blessings. Participation requires pre-registration, but spectators can still enjoy the lively procession. For those looking to join the spirit, a face-painting booth is available, allowing anyone to transform into a fox for the celebration.

Events & Parties

Tokyo’s New Year’s celebrations offer a vibrant mix of traditional and modern festivities. Alongside customary visits to Meiji Shrine for Hatsumode, where people pray for good fortune in the coming year, Tokyo’s younger crowds flock to lively Western-style countdown parties featuring live music, fireworks, and entertainment. Shibuya is a hotspot, with its iconic street parties, comedy shows, and upscale dinners attracting thousands. From festive gatherings in the city’s bustling districts to the reflective serenity of shrine visits, Tokyo captures both the vitality and reverence of ringing in the New Year.

Countdown Japan 24/25

The December mega-event at Makuhari Messe is Japan's ultimate rock 'n' roll New Year countdown. Running since 2003, it draws massive crowds, with over 188,000 attendees and more than 150 artists each year. While all ticket types have currently sold out, an official resale is expected in December, so fans are encouraged to keep an eye on the website for updates. One-day tickets are priced at ₴3,782.81 for Dec. 28, 29, and 30, while the main event on Dec. 31 costs ₴4,053.01. Whether you're there for the countdown or just to soak in Japan's rock scene, this is an unmissable end-of-year celebration!

New Year Countdown to 2-24 at Womb

Ring in 2025 in style at WOMB, one of Shibuya's most iconic clubs and the ultimate New Year's Eve destination in Tokyo. Famous for its electrifying atmosphere, WOMB dazzles with lasers, strobe lights, and a massive LED screen for an unforgettable countdown. Known for its world-class sound system and high-energy ambiance, WOMB offers a luxurious, immersive experience to welcome the New Year. Tickets for the New Year Countdown at WOMB are priced at JP¥6,500 online and ¥8,000 at the door. The party starts at 10 am and goes on until 4:30 am.

Tokyo Bay Cruises

Every year, the booze boats set sail, welcoming the New Year with music and revelry. It offers a choice between a buffet or a course meal, complete with champagne and live music, ensuring a memorable way to ring in the New Year on the water.

New Year's Sunrise

After partying in Tokyo, take a moment to appreciate one of Japan's cherished New Year traditions: watching the first sunrise of the year. Many residents flock to scenic waterfront areas along Tokyo Bay to witness this beautiful sight, as it is believed to bring good luck for the entire year.