Tokyo Solamachi

Looking for something to do over the New Year’s holidays? Head to Tokyo Skytree Town to catch a 20-minute Shishimai lion dance performance on January 1. The show takes place on Tokyo Skytree’s observation deck floor 350 at 8.30am, 10am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm and at the Solamachi Square at 10am, 11am and 12noon. Afterwards at 1pm, Japanese owarai comedians will be performing and handing out free sake to visitors until supplies last at a traditional kagami biraki ceremony, where they open a barrel of New Year's sake. If lion dance performances or owarai comedy isn't your thing, head to the Skytree lower observation deck on January 1, January 2 or January 3 to experience sumo firsthand. Local sumo wrestlers from the Kise Stable are invited to the observation deck for a special event where visitors can compare their strengths with the wrestlers - and take memorable photos. Another popular New Year tradition in Japan is the kakizome, the act of writing the first calligraphy of the new year. You can see it done live on January 2, January 3 or January 4 at 1pm at Solamachi Hiroba plaza, conducted by calligrapher Mohri Suzuki. Stick around the East Yard on the third floor to participate in a free 20-minute calligraphy workshop led by Mohri Suzuki himself. It's held at 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm and 6pm on January 2 and January 3.