celebrations Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

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. New Year's Eve in Japan is traditionally spent with the family, eating osechi and making the first shrine visit of the year. 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 2025. Here's a rundown of the top party picks. Note: The Shibuya Crossing Countdown will once again be canceled this year, and the Hachiko statue will be covered. Important: Many JR train lines will run overnight from December 31 to January 1. This includes the Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tōhoku/Negishi Line, Chūō Line Rapid Service, and local trains on the Chūō/Sōbu Line. No lines on the Tokyo Metro will run overnight; they will run on the Saturday and holiday schedule. 1. Womb Tokyo New Year Countdown December 31 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. – -- Buy tickets here Womb is known to throw a party, and their New Year’s events have built a reputation as some of the best in Shibuya. This year’s event features DJs Craig Richards (founder of Houghton Festival) and Masda (of Cabaret Recordings), plus a live set by the emerging Uruguayan artist Michelle. Advance tickets are a flat , or at the door if available. If you miss the countdown and get there after 5 a.m., tickets will be . 2. Circus Tokyo Countdown To 2026 December 31 10 p.m. till late Advance: Shibuya party favorite Circus is expected to hold another huge NYE celebration to welcome in 2026, with help from drum and bass artists London Elektricity and Makoto. Both artists have collaborated several times over the years and have made lasting impacts on the UK and Japan scenes. 3. New Year's Eve Party at Unit December 31 9 p.m. till late The arrival of 2026 will see revelers head to Daikanyama for yet another of Unit's countdown parties. This year, alternative idol group PIGGS take control of the celebrations, with live music and DJs programmed to run all night long, playing disco, house, funk, and other party jams to keep you moving. Tickets are here. 4. OR Countdown to 2026 December 31 8 p.m. till late – OR inside Miyashita Park in Shibuya will have three floors of music, catering to different genres. The first floor celebrates hip-hop hits; the second, anime and J-pop; and the third, techno and house. Entry is after 11 p.m., before 11 p.m., or with an advance ticket. 5. TKNC Countdown December 31 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Up to 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 an ultimate party countdown on the 31st. This year, expect to pay -- at the most, depending on the time slot you choose. The cherry on top is that all these prices include free drinks. 6. Liquidroom Presents New Year Festival 2026 December 31 8 p.m. till late – Liquidroom is a popular live music venue in Ebisu that regularly attracts big-name artists from Japan and abroad, and just so happens to know how to throw a good NYE bash. Tickets for their much-anticipated annual New Year's events often get snapped up fast, and while you'll pay more than some other venues on this list, that's because this is a multi-genre live festival featuring a huge lineup of artists. 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. 7. Countdown Japan 25/26 December 27–31 12 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.; 3:40 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Dec. 31 – The annual music festival is back at Makuhari Messe this year, with a huge line-up of 179 bands and DJs ready to bring in the New Year with a bang. This year’s event will be its first in a five-day format, with four stages featuring a mix of performers, culminating in a final night of music and celebrations. The lineup features big names such as Awich, Vaundy, Creepy Nuts, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Bump of Chicken, Pale Dusk, Chilli Beans, and more. This is the New Year's Eve party for you if you enjoy Japanese artists, 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. 8. Happy New Year Tokyo December 31 10 p.m. to 12:10 p.m. Free (application required) Happy New Year Tokyo is a fairly recent addition to the Tokyo countdown parties list. This year’s event will feature state-of-the-art projection mapping by artist Mina Ninagawa, with the creative team EiM, projected onto the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The event will also feature live performances from breakdancer Shigekix, virtual idol Hatsune Miku, performance group MPlusPlus, and Hello Kitty and Friends. Entry is free, but spaces are limited, so you’ll need to pre-register. The event coincides with Shinjuku Neon Walk -- a series of illuminations and experimental art installations around the Shinjuku area, which will run until 1 a.m. on NYE. 9. Yokosuka Countdown 2026 December 31 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. Free More of a summer thing here, it’s rare to see NYE fireworks in Japan. In Yokosuka, though, fireworks have become a popular New Year’s tradition. While not as OTT as Tokyo’s summer fireworks, there will still be around 500 blasts plus live performances, food and drink stalls, and illuminated ships whistling in the bay. 10. Yokohama New Year's Eve Celebrations December 31 11:30 p.m. till 12:03 a.m. Free There are a few different events to look forward to in Yokohama. First, the city’s regular fireworks display will have a special midnight showing on New Year's Eve. Lasting about five minutes, blasts will go off from both the Osanbashi and Shinko Piers from 7 p.m. Also, two spots in Yokohama’s Chinatown will be hosting countdowns at Kuan Ti Miao Temple and Mazu Temple. Prepare for all the fixings of a Chinese festival, including lanterns and lion dances. 11. Tokyo New Year Countdown Cruise December 31 10:40 p.m. to 1:10 a.m. Update: When we checked on December 24, the cruise was already sold out. You can check back in case spots open up, though. For a different take on your final night of 2025, 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 from Symphony Cruises. It includes live entertainment, a swanky buffet or course meal, free-flow drinks, and a champagne toast at midnight. 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 2025 by Patrick Balfe.

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