New Year in Tokyo: Countdown, Hatsumode, Fukubukuro and What Is Open

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Researched guide · Checked on Nov 5, 2026

What Happens During New Year in Tokyo

Japanese New Year (Shogatsu) is one of the country’s most important holidays. It centers on visits to temples and shrines, family time and special food, more than on fireworks and parties.

For visitors, this means a different kind of trip. The areas around major shrines are packed, while many shops and small restaurants are closed, especially on January 1. If you plan ahead, it is a good time to see Japanese traditions.

New Year’s Eve (December 31): Temple Bells and Countdowns

On New Year’s Eve you can choose between temple ceremonies and countdown events. Check times close to the date, because they can change from year to year.

Joya no Kane: Temple Bells on New Year’s Eve

Joya no Kane is a Buddhist tradition: temple bells ring 108 times around the end of the year, for the 108 worldly passions. Not every temple rings at midnight, and at some temples visitors can ring the bell.

• Zojoji (near Tokyo Tower): for 2026 the temple moved the bell earlier because of crowding. The service starts at 21:30 and the bell rings from 21:45 to about 23:00. General bell-ringing tickets are planned to go on sale from 9:00 on December 1 at the temple office. The main gate is under repair, and last New Year it was closed from 21:00 on December 31 to 17:00 on January 4, so check the temple’s news for the route.
• Tsukiji Honganji (Tsukiji): in past years, party crackers were handed out for a midnight countdown, and visitors with numbered tickets could ring the bell. We could not confirm the plan for this year, so check the temple’s website.

Countdown Events

Tokyo does not have one main countdown like Times Square. Events change every year, and we have not seen a confirmed list for 2026 yet. Check the GO TOKYO calendar in December. Meiji Jingu is another option if you want to be at a shrine at midnight, but the roads to the shrine are packed before midnight.

Trains on New Year’s Eve

Do not assume every line runs all night. Check your own route before you go out.

Operator	What we know	Check
JR East	Extra trains after the last train on six lines in the Tokyo area for 2026–27. Times appear in route search apps from December 7. Last year the Yamanote Line ran from about 1:00 to 5:00, every 10–25 minutes.	JR East app or route search
Toei subway	No overnight service or later last trains on New Year’s Eve last year (2025–26). The 2026–27 plan is not confirmed.	Toei news
Tokyo Metro	We could not confirm a plan for 2026–27.	Tokyo Metro news

Hatsumode: Your First Shrine or Temple Visit

Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the new year. People go late on New Year’s Eve or during January 1–3 to pray for the year ahead. It is also a popular time to draw omikuji (paper fortunes). Keep a good fortune with you, and tie a bad one to the rack provided.

How to Pray at a Shrine vs. a Temple

At a shrine (identified by a torii gate):

• Bow once before passing through the gate
• Walk to the side of the path, because the center is for the gods
• At the offering hall, ring the bell if there is one, put in a coin, bow twice, clap twice, pray, and bow once more

At a temple: the main difference is that you do not clap. See our shrine and temple etiquette guide.

Where to Go for Hatsumode in Tokyo

Place	Good for	Access	Good to know
Meiji Jingu	The classic choice: about 3 million visitors for hatsumode	About 1 min from JR Harajuku Station	Open through the night on New Year’s Eve. Free. Very crowded.
Senso-ji	English omikuji	About 5 min from Asakusa Station (Ginza Line)	Lists hatsumode as January 1–7.
Zojoji	Tokyo Tower behind the temple	About 10 min from JR Hamamatsucho Station, 5 min from Daimon Station	Main Hall is open all night from December 31 until 17:30 on January 1, then 6:00–17:30.
Tsukiji Honganji	A quieter choice, though you may still queue	Near Tsukiji Station (Hibiya Line)	Unusual Indian-style building.

The Japan National Tourism Organization lists these New Year hours for Meiji Jingu. Check the shrine’s website for this year:

• December 31: 6:40 a.m. to midnight, and open through the night
• January 1: until 7:00 p.m.
• January 2–3: 6:40 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• January 4: 6:40 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tips to Avoid the Crowds

• Try around 4 a.m. on January 1: the tourism organization says crowds at Meiji Jingu usually thin out then.
• Try a neighborhood shrine: the traditions are the same, and they are usually less crowded than the famous ones.
• Dress warmly: you will be outside for a long time. January lows average about 1°C.

January 1: What’s Open and Closed

Many stores close on January 1, and hours vary, so check each place first. This table shows the usual pattern, not a promise for any one store.

Category	Usually	Details
Temples and shrines	Open	Busy with hatsumode visitors.
Convenience stores	Open	Usually the easiest place for food and drinks.
Department stores	Closed	Most reopen for sales around January 2.
Shopping malls	Varies	Check each mall’s holiday hours.
Restaurants	Many closed	Small restaurants often close. Chains and hotel restaurants are the usual backup.
Museums and attractions	Varies	For example, Tokyo National Museum lists 12:00–20:00 on January 1, 2027, while SHIBUYA SKY closes on New Year’s Day.
Banks	Closed	Convenience store ATMs are usually the backup, but get cash early in case of maintenance. See money in Tokyo.

Tip: buy snacks and drinks at a convenience store or 100-yen shop before New Year.

Fukubukuro: Lucky Bags Around January 2

Fukubukuro (lucky bags) are sealed bags of goods sold at a discount. The tourism organization says they often cost about one-third of the total value of the items. You cannot choose what is inside.

Department store sales start around January 2, and the date depends on the store. Mitsukoshi and Isetan are well known for them. Popular bags can sell out in minutes, so check the start time for the store you want.

The Emperor’s New Year Greeting (January 2)

On January 2, the Emperor and Empress appear on the balcony of Chowa-Den Hall at the Imperial Palace to greet the public. This is called Ippan Sanga. The 2027 schedule was not yet on the Imperial Household Agency’s website when we checked, so use the January 2026 details below as a guide only.

• Appearances in 2026: about 10:10, 11:00, 11:50, 13:30 and 14:20
• Entry in 2026: 9:30–14:10, only through the Main Gate (Nijubashi)
• Security: there are bag checks, so carry little and leave big bags in station lockers. Knives, scissors, drones and flagpoles are not allowed.

See our Tokyo in January guide for other events that month.

Watching the First Sunrise (Hatsuhinode)

Watching the first sunrise of the year (hatsuhinode) is another New Year tradition. Sunrise in Tokyo on January 1 is around 6:50 a.m. Popular places include:

• Mt. Takao: a popular mountain west of Tokyo. Start early and dress for the cold.
• Tokyo Tower and other tall buildings: check each official site in December, as special openings change.
• The coast: places facing east over the sea are also popular.

Practical Tips for New Year in Tokyo

Money

Get the cash you need before the holidays start. Some shops and shrine stalls may not take cards, and bank branches are closed.

Where to Eat on January 1

Many small restaurants close, so have a backup plan:

• Convenience stores: rice balls, bento boxes and hot snacks
• Chain restaurants: often the easiest sit-down option, but hours vary by store
• Hotel restaurants: ask your hotel what will be open
• Fresh fish: menus may be smaller while markets are closed

Day-by-Day Suggested Schedule

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Dec 31	Explore Asakusa or Shibuya. Buy snacks.	Get cash and check your train route home.	Go to a temple for the bells. At Zojoji they start at 21:45.
Jan 1	Watch the first sunrise, or sleep in.	Go for hatsumode.	Eat at a hotel restaurant or chain.
Jan 2	See the New Year greeting at the Imperial Palace, if the 2027 schedule is the same.	Go to a department store sale.	Check that your restaurant is open.
Jan 3	Go for hatsumode if you have not been.	Take a day trip to Kamakura or Mt. Takao.	Read Tokyo in January for what comes next.

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