Tokyo New Year Events: Best Countdown Parties to Ring in 2024

Tokyo, a city known for its all-night antics, has some of the best New Year’s Eve countdown celebrations in the world — and you can read all about them here.

You’ll find that New Year’s Eve in Japan is traditionally spent with the family, eating osechi and making the first shrine visit of the year — it is a pretty laidback affair. That isn’t the only option though; there are some amazing Tokyo New Year parties to see off the soon-to-be-infamous year of 2023, something we can all agree is worth celebrating. Here’s a rundown of the top party picks.

Note: The famous Shibuya Crossing Countdown will once again be canceled this year.

1. Tokyo New Year Countdown Cruise

December 31

10 p.m. till 1 a.m.

¥18,000–¥24,000

tokyo bay cruise — Go overboard (not literally) with a cruise for New Year. | Photo by iStock.com/KEN226

For a different take on your final night of 2023, why not spend the evening on a New Year’s Eve cruise, admiring the Tokyo skyline? There are several options to choose from — but we recommend this one. It includes live entertainment, a bento meal, free-flowing drinks, and a release of balloons to welcome midnight.

New Year Countdown Cruise Around Tokyo Bay

Dates:

Late

Dec

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥18,000

2. Happy New Year Tokyo

December 31

6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Free

See hundreds of lanterns in the sky above Shinjuku. | Photo by Tokyo Metropolitan Government

While not taking place at midnight, this countdown is still something special. Hundreds of lanterns will be set off into the sky at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office’s Civic Plaza. To join in the actual lantern release, you’ll need to pre-register, but there will also be viewing spots that don’t require reservations.

Happy New Year Tokyo Countdown

Dates:31st Dec, 2023

Entry:Free

Venue:

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

3. Womb Tokyo New Year Countdown

December 31

10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

¥6,500

new year at womb — Womb never fails to make the countdown explosive. | Photo by WOMB

If you want the full Tokyo New Year’s Eve experience, head to Shibuya for pre-drinks by the famous crossing before hitting Womb’s Countdown for five levels of DJs. Sven Väth is a special guest this year, bringing his unique mix of house and techno to Tokyo.

Tickets are a flat ¥6,500 if you buy them in advance and ¥8,000 if you turn up on the day before 1 a.m.

Womb Presents New Year Countdown to 2025

Dates:31st Dec, 2024

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥6,500	At the door: ¥8,000

Venue:

Womb

4. TKNC Countdown Week

December 26–31

9 p.m. till late

¥500–¥3,000

TK Nightclub Shibuya has won over many EDM hearts with its fun atmosphere, great DJs, and all-night dance floor. This year, TK will hold a week-long event for New Year’s, leading up to the ultimate party countdown on the 31st.

Tickets vary depending on gender and the time you enter, but are as low as ¥500 for women and ¥2,000 for men. For December 31, you can expect to pay ¥3,000 for men and ¥1,000 for women. The cherry on top is that all these prices include free drinks.

TKNC Countdown Week

Dates:

Late

Dec

Entry:

¥500 – ¥3,000

Venue:

TK Shibuya

5. Countdown 23/24 Japan

December 28–31

9 a.m. to 8:40 p.m.; 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 31

¥14,000–¥45,000

Club Scene Crowd — Take your partying to the extreme. | Photo by iStock.com/gilaxia

The annual four-day music festival held at Makuhari Messe is back this year, with a huge line-up of 50+ bands and DJs ready to bring in the New Year with a bang. There will be three stages with a mix of performers, all ending in a final night of music and celebrations.

This is the New Year’s Eve party for you if you enjoy Japanese bands, but the price tag is a little higher than the others on the list. You can buy tickets for each day individually, but tickets for the 31st will be more expensive.

Countdown Japan 24/25

Dates:28th Dec–31st Dec, 2024

Entry:

¥14,000 – ¥45,000

Venue:

Makuhari Messe

6. Liquidroom presents New Year Party 2024

December 31

8:00 p.m. till late

¥5,000 plus ¥1,000 for two drinks upon entry.

Liquidroom is a well-known live music venue that knows how to throw a good bash. Tickets for their much-anticipated annual New Year’s Party often get snapped up fast, and while you’ll pay more than some other venues on this list, that’s because this is predominantly a multi-genre live concert.

Liquidroom Presents New Year Party 2025

Dates:

Late

Dec

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥5,000

Venue:

LIQUIDROOM

While we do our best to ensure everything is correct, information is subject to change. This post was originally published in December 2016. Last updated in December 2023, by Alex Ziminski.

Area(s)

Ebisu

Makuhari

Shibuya

Places Mentioned