Written by Patrick Balfe
Monday, December 29, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026.
With Christmas behind us, it’s time to look toward 2026 with countdown parties, family-friendly happenings, and traditional events across the city.
Clubs and venues in Shibuya will host countdown parties, as will the Happy New Year Tokyo Countdown in Shinjuku. On top of that, we’ve got recommendations for your first shrine and temple visits of the year, where to get your Daruma, and other ways to ring in the new year, including cruises, fireworks, light-ups, and more.
Keen to check out more New Year’s events? Have a look at our dedicated round-up here.
Winter Comiket
The focus of the event is dōjinshi — independently created and published manga — and cosplay. Given the thousands of amateur and professional manga artists in Japan, there is always a wide range of genres and styles on display.
Roppongi Crossing 2025: “What Passes Is Time. We Are Eternal.”
Expect thought-provoking painted works and sculptures, as well as immersive video, sound pieces, embroidery, crafts, zines, and community projects.
Ōji Inari-jinja Shrine Fox Parade
Legend has it that on New Year’s Eve foxes from across the Kanto region would disguise themselves in human costume to make their first shrine visit of the year at Ōji Inari-jinja Shrine. To honor this tale, Ōji has held a fox parade to celebrate the new year since 1993.
Hakone Shrine New Year Fireworks and Festival
You might know Hakone for the beautiful Lake Ashi or the photogenic torii gate at Hakone Shrine. At the beginning of each year, the shrine hosts several interesting traditional festivities, including fireworks.
Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage
From New Year’s Day and for the first ten days of the year, you can join local tradition in visiting shrines of the Seven Lucky Gods.
Hatsumōde Grand Prayer Festival at Ryusenji Temple
Celebrate the beginning of 2026 by participating in the tradition of hatsumōde — the first visit to a shrine or temple of the year — at one of the most-visited temples near Tokyo.
Kitain Temple Daruma Market in Kawagoe
Kitain Temple in Kawagoe hosts an annual Daruma Market where you can purchase Daruma dolls and participate in various New Year rituals.
Geikosai New Year’s Festival
One of the three annual festivals at Yakuoin Temple on Mount Takao, this is a memorable way to see in the new year.
Happy New Year Tokyo Countdown
Party until midnight in Shinjuku and see traditional performances, projection mapping, and a whole lot more.
New Year Countdown Cruise Around Tokyo Bay
Celebrate the turn of the year with elegance and style on a cruise around Tokyo Bay. This two-hour voyage takes you to see the twinkling lights of Tokyo, Odaiba, and the colorful Rainbow Bridge before a countdown with a clash of champagne to signal the start of 2026.
Yokohama New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Head away from Tokyo to see in the new year. The Yokohama New Year’s Eve celebrations are a mix of lights and fireworks to end the year on a high.
Yokosuka Countdown
See the new year bright and early with around 500 fireworks at the Yokosuka Countdown. One last festival for 2025, before 2026 brings a new year and a new you.
Hanayashiki Countdown 2025/26
Attractions, including the merry-go-round, haunted house, and Sky Ship, will be open to visitors. The park itself will be covered with cherry blossom-colored lights.
| Advance sales: ¥4,500 | ||
| Advance sales: ¥3,000 | ||
Womb Presents New Year Countdown to 2026
Ring in the new year in Shibuya with one of the biggest clubs in Tokyo. Expect lasers, strobe lighting, and a massive LED screen to clearly see the countdown into 2026.
| Advance sales: ¥6,000 | At the door: ¥8,000 | |
Liquidroom Presents New Year Festival 2026
This year’s names include musician, DJ, and producer Takkyu Ishino, electronic pop duo Pasocon Music Club, big-name hip hop project Dos Monos, psych rock outfit Ogre You Asshole, and more.
| Advance sales: ¥6,600 | At the door: ¥7,600 | |
Unit Tokyo Countdown Party
Alternative girl group PIGGS close out the year and kick off the next with a late-night countdown live set at Unit in Daikanyama.
| Advance sales: ¥4,629 | At the door: ¥5,200 | |
TKNC Countdown
TK Nightclub’s NYE event returns for 2025/26. Expect a whole host of local DJs and artists, including Kiyoto, Tyiiga, and TJO. Check their website for the full roster.
Countdown Japan 25/26
If you’re all about the domestic music scene, this might be the countdown event for you. Running since 2003, the multi-day event typically attracts over 188,000 visitors and features more than 150 acts.
Circus Tokyo Countdown to 2026
Shibuya’s Circus Tokyo welcomes 2026 with a drum and bass–focused countdown led by London Elektricity and Makoto.
| At the door: ¥4,377 | ||
OR Tokyo Countdown Party
Ring in the new year with a full-throttle, three-floor countdown party at club OR. Each level runs a different sound. Drift between genres as the clock ticks down.
| Advance sales: ¥3,000 | ||
Midtown Ice Rink
The ice-skating rink takes over the grass square behind Tokyo Midtown every winter. It is a popular event because of the Midtown Winter Lights right next door — so expect a line.
Tokyo Midtown New Year
Tokyo Midtown kicks off 2026 with lion dances, free sake, live traditional music, and a playful new interactive artwork you can literally climb into.
Omotesandō Illumination
A classy and impressive annual display, the Omotesandō Illumination is a light-lit walk of just over 1 km along Omotesandō Avenue. With over 900,000 lights wound around the trees, it’s got a definite winter-wonderland feel.
Shinjuku Neon Walk
Along the route, you’ll find an AI-powered screen that warps your reflection like a funhouse mirror, a glowing torii, Edo-style lanterns reimagined in neon, and a pair of illuminated trees that “talk” to each other through light and sound.
Shinjuku Twinkle Park
Every evening for around a month, Shinjuku Central Park is lit up with thousands of LED lights, glowing beasties, and other types of installations.
Meguro River Winter Illuminations
Meguro River will shine with nearly 400,000 pink-colored LEDs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night. The lights will be powered by cooking oil waste from local homes and businesses.
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