Written by Patrick Balfe
Monday, January 5, to Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Start the year right with our favorite events around the city. This week, we’re celebrating firefighters, daikon, and eSports before catching a chilly communal ice bath. Then, there are some of the season’s final illuminations, as well as Daruma markets, an ice cream expo, and Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.
Tokyo Fire Department New Year Ceremony
The New Year Ceremony for the Tokyo Fire Department (also known as Dezome-shiki) is filled with emergency vehicles and performances that highlight the triumphs of the Tokyo Fire Department. Tickets for the outdoor parade are all gone, but you’ll still find exhibits, performances, and vehicles at the free indoor exhibition.
Daikon Radish Festival 2026
Every year on January 7 at Matsuchiyama Shoden in Asakusa, there is a service for the god Shōden where daikon radishes are offered up as a symbol of his work. It is said that by eating this dish, you will gain some of the health and power of the god himself.
Tokyo eSports Festa
This annual event invites gamers and enthusiasts of all ages to partake. The competition lineup covers a broad mix: Street Fighter 6, eFootball™, Gran Turismo 7, Puzzle & Dragons, Puyo Puyo eSports, and the finals for Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival.
Winter Ice Bathing at Teppozu Inari Shrine
This event is known as the Winter Bathing Tournament (Kanchu Misogi) and is accompanied by prayers and celebrations for the new year. While you might not want to take part, it’s still a sight to see.
Ōme Daruma Market
Daruma are round Japanese dolls designed to represent the founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma. Every year, people purchase dolls and fill in the pupil of one eye (the right one) with black and make a wish.
Kamimizo (Mizono) Daruma Market
This is a friendly neighborhood festival with a fiery twist. There will be sales of Daruma dolls — from big to small (reservations are required for the big ones) — dances, and a bonfire to say goodbye to a pile of Daruma (around 300 to 500) who’ve completed their duties.
Hatsumōde Grand Prayer Festival at Ryusenji Temple
Celebrate the beginning of 2026 in Japan 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.
Torigoe Shrine Tondoyaki Bonfire
Bring your used New Year’s decorations to Torigoe Shrine for Tondoyaki, a ceremonial burning, or watch others do so.
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 the shrines of the Seven Lucky Gods.
Tokyo Auto Salon 2026
Tokyo Auto Salon, one of the biggest motor shows in the world, is coming back to Makuhari Messe and will showcase modified and tuned cars.
| Advance sales: ¥3,000 | ||
Ice Cream Expo (Aipaku)
You scream, I scream… You know the rest. This is one of the biggest ice cream expos in Japan.
| Advance sales: ¥500 | ||
Machida Tenmangu Antique Fair
This is a vibey and popular but fairly small market, with around 120 vendors. This market is especially good for Showa-era retro goods, like children’s books, illustrations, and toys.
Tokyo Mega Illumination
Occupying the central area of the racecourse, Tokyo Mega Illumination has everything you would want from a light-up event, with added horses.
Shinjuku Neon Walk
Shinjuku Neon Walk is a free, open-air illumination trail. 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.
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