Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo events for Monday, January 12, to Sunday, January 18, 2026.
What’s that? The first week of 2026 was a write-off? Never fear, new year, new you starts now. This week, we’ve got a New Year visit to Ryūsenji temple, we’re setting goals at our favorite Daruma Markets, and we’re getting sustainable at Boroichi and Handmade in Japan. On top of that, there’s ladder acrobatics and art and music events to help set the tone for the new year.
Hatsumōde Grand Prayer Festival at Ryūsenji 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.
Hashigo Nori (Ladder Acrobatics)
Hashigo Nori takes place during the Ikegami Honmonji Temple’s prayer ceremonies on Japan’s Coming of Age Day. On top (no pun intended) of the traditional dances and prayers, six performers show off their stuff with a ladder acrobatics display.
Daikoku Matsuri
Daikoku — a god of fortune — is offering up some good luck blessings to set your year off right at this traditional festival at Kanda Shrine near Akihabara.
Daruma Markets
This is a friendly neighborhood festival with a fiery twist. Each year, people purchase Daruma dolls, fill in one eye, and make a wish. When that wish comes true, they fill in the other side. Once the daruma have completed their purpose, many take their dolls to shrines at the beginning of the year to set them alight. Here are some of our favorite Daruma festivals happening this week:
Ōme Daruma Market
On the old Ōme Highway, just outside of Ōme Station, Daruma are sold en masse at the nearly 200-year-old Ōme Daruma Market. As well as stalls that are open from 1:30 p.m. until the evening, you can also watch daruma being burnt on the precincts of Sumiyoshi Shrine (a 3-minute walk from the station) — look out for a free gift if you offer up your own daruma doll.
Kamimizo (Mizono) Daruma Market
There will be plenty of sales of Daruma dolls — from big to small (reservations are required for the big ones) — lion dances, and a bonfire to say goodbye to a pile of Daruma (around 500) who’ve completed their duties.
Setagaya Boroichi Market in January
Boroichi is an enormous flea market at which more than 700 vendors sell a variety of used goods, antiques, handicrafts, religious artefacts, and food to approximately 200,000 visitors.
Handmade in Japan Festival Winter
More than 3,000 artists from across Japan and abroad will have their works on display. This is a great place to buy handmade crafts, support independent makers, and make sustainable shopping choices.
| Advance sales: ¥1,300 | At the door: ¥1,500 | |
GMO Sonic
Held over the weekend, GMO Sonic promises two days of dance and electro music from titans of the genre. This year’s lineup includes Marshmello, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Swedish House Mafia, and more.
Roppongi Crossing 2025: “What Passes Is Time. We Are Eternal.”
Launched in 2004 and held every three years, the Roppongi Crossing exhibition offers a snapshot of Japan’s contemporary art scene, seeking to re-examine it from multiple perspectives. This is its eighth installment, at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills.
Meguro River Winter Illuminations
See the famous cherry blossom view of Meguro River in winter — well, sort of. Nearly 400,000 pink LEDs will be powered by cooking-oil waste from local homes and businesses.
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