Exciting things to do on New Year’s Day 2026 in Tokyo – January 1-5

One of Japan’s prized New Year’s traditions is waking up at dawn on New Year’s Day to ‘greet the new light’. It even has its own word in Japanese: geikosai, literally meaning ‘festival to welcome the light’. There’s probably no better place to do this in Tokyo than at the summit of Mt Takao, just 50 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station.

Starting at midnight, the head priest of Yakuoin temple will perform several goma fire rituals, culminating in a great screech of conches from 6.30am as the sunrise ignites the mountain summit at around 6.50am.

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.

A fantastic yearly event, the highlight of which involves a falconry display on January 3 from 11am and 2pm. Lion dance and aikido performances will also be held at 11am and 2pm on January 2 at Uchibori Square. If birds and lions aren't your bag, of course, the hearty New Year food ought to tempt you - we've already got our order in for some charcoal grilled dango mochi and hot amazake.

The park is closed on January 1.

Tokyo Midtown’s annual New Year’s celebration features a number of fun events to start 2026. The first 800 visitors who drop by on January 2 between 10.45am and 12noon will get a free wooden cup of sake from Tokyo Midtown’s Canopy Square.

What’s more, a regular feature of the occasion is the lion dance, a special performance with flute and drum accompaniment to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. The dancers are scheduled to parade through Midtown Galleria on January 2 and January 3 at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. 

When you’re already there, make sure to line up at 11am on January 2 and January 3 for a beautiful handwritten New Year’s card. Calligraphy artists Shingi Ban and Meiho Ishikawa will decorate each card with up to two Japanese kanji characters of your choice, so make sure to browse the dictionary before heading over. The event takes place on the second floor of Tokyo Midtown’s Galleria and only the first 500 people will be able to get their hands on a free card. 

Visiting with kids in tow? Head straight to the fukuwarai (game where blindfolded players place paper cutouts of facial features on a blank face) interactive area at Tokyo Midtown’s basement Galleria Atrium between 11am and 5pm on January 2 and January 3. The little ones can take part in the traditional Japanese New Year game – this time on a much bigger scale. By placing the oversized eyes, nose and mouth onto the giant face, the game is said to bring luck for the new year with a ‘good luck laugh.’

Roppongi Hills is starting the year with a big bash that includes lively taiko drumming, koto performances, plus the classic New Year’s lion dance. Japanese taiko drum performances will be held on January 2 from 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm and the following day (January 3) from 11am, 1.40pm and 3.30pm at the Roppongi Hills Arena.

Koto performances will also be held on January 3 from 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2.10pm. Between the stage performances, try your hand at playing the koto at the Koto experience corner.

There will be booths set up in the arena on January 3 where you can dabble in traditional Japanese New Year games like kendama, top spinning and otedama juggling.

Free sake is handed out to the first 200 people on January 2 from 1pm, while free rice cakes are handed out on January 3 from 12.30pm for the first 150 people (numbered tickets required). Make sure to also take home a pack of Wakayama’s premium umeboshi (pickled plum) which are handed to all attendees while supplies last.

Head over to the Saitama suburb of Kawagoe for the annual Daruma Market on January 3. Symbolising perseverance, daruma dolls are sold in temples across Japan during New Year’s and are a tangible way to remind yourself of your New Year’s resolution. 

After purchasing a daruma with blank eyes, draw in a pupil on one of the eyes while making a promise to yourself. Once you fulfil the resolution, paint in the other eye. People visit Kawagoe Kitain every year to have their old daruma burned and to purchase new ones at the many stalls selling dolls of all colours and sizes, so be sure to arrive early while supplies last.

Expect to see large crowds, as this is one of the largest daruma fairs in the Kanto region with plenty of stalls selling festival grub to go with the daruma stands. Organisers recommend that you take the train; all major stations in Kawagoe are within 25 minutes on foot from the temple.

Occasionally mentioned among the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo, Hamamatsucho's Kyu Shiba Rikyu welcomes the new year with free guided tours of the park, a commemorative photo-spot for children, kendama and hanetsuki (an Edo-era version of badminton) games and more. Should be a fun couple of days for the entire family.

The park is closed on January 1.

Shibuya’s Scramble Square shopping complex rings in 2026 with its annual New Year Scramble Party, running from January 2 to 12 at the 12th-floor event space, Scene12. From January 2 to 4, visitors can try a towering three-metre-tall capsule toy machine, open to those who present a same-day receipt of ¥5,000 or more (tax included), with chances to win original prizes and New Year-themed goods.

A limited-time bar by Le Café Retro will also be open, serving seasonal drinks and light bites. The celebrations continue over the following weekend on January 10 and 11, when the Scramble Music Show returns to Scene12 with free-entry DJ music events, creating a lively daytime party atmosphere.

Meanwhile, those keen to do their New Year’s spending can enjoy the New Year sale, with around 50 shops across the complex offering special discounts, lucky bags and more.

The New Year Sale and related events run until Jan 12.

The 1.2-kilometre-long Marunouchi Naka-dori street, always one of the most popular Tokyo illumination spots, will have around 250 trees lit up with about 775,000 low-energy, champagne-coloured LEDs this year, making for an environmentally friendly and stylish display.

If you’d rather stay cosy while admiring the lights, visit the renovated Marunouchi House, where the seventh-floor terrace will feature festive illuminations for a limited time. The terrace has plenty of seats surrounded by outdoor heaters.

Closer to Christmas, Gyoko-dori between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station will have more illuminations between November 28 and December 25, bringing the total to around 810,000 LEDs.

This large ice skating rink in Tokyo Midtown’s garden area is surrounded by greenery, but if you go skating in the evening, you'll also get the added scenery of pretty illuminations and a view of the lit-up Tokyo Tower. Wearing gloves is mandatory, so if you want to avoid paying extra for a pair (¥300) sold on site, make sure to bring your own.

The admission ticket includes helmet rental, but skate rentals are an additional ¥500. The ice rink will close if temperatures are too warm, so make sure to check the website before heading over.

The ice rink is open daily from 11am-9pm, and the last entry is 8pm (closed on Jan 1).

Located next to the Tokyo amusement park Yomiuri Land, the Hana Biyori garden is illuminated with a spectacular display that runs year-round. Follow the path lined with 500-odd takeakari bamboo lanterns and takemari (ball-like ornaments made from bamboo) and you’ll come to a historical gate that was transplanted from the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Once inside, you’ll find a wall of illuminated Japanese umbrellas that look like colourful lanterns, leading you further into the garden. Awaiting here are more takeakari and takemari, in addition to a glowing chozuya (basin with purified water) decked out with flowers.

A new addition this year, expect to see a new striking display of snowflake-shaped bamboo wreaths, along with the kiri-e (paper cutout) lanterns introduced last year, which are placed around the garden’s east waterfall.

To complement your experience, you can rent a Japanese umbrella and lantern to walk around and take photos for just ¥200.

Check the event website for the latest operating schedule before visiting.

Located at the Red Brick Warehouse’s event plaza, this popular and spacious ice skating rink is back for its 21st edition this year. The theme this season is called ‘Left Turn’, with the area designed by illustrator Haruyo Higashi, who has created manga-like illustrations of everyday moments. Admire the continuous artwork as you circle the rink.

A ticket to the rink including skates is ¥2,000 (high school students and children aged 3 and older ¥1,200; Jan 5 onwards ¥1,700 for adults). Make sure to drop by the adjoining Christmas market for some mulled wine and typical German winter food.

Opening hours: November and December: 1pm to 9pm on weekdays; 11am to 9pm on weekends and 11am to 10pm between Dec 20-25; 11am-8pm between Dec 26-30; 11am-7pm on Dec 31.

January: 11am to 7pm on Jan 1-2

Rest of January and February: 1pm to 7pm on weekdays; 11am to 8pm on weekends and holidays.

The annual Shinjuku Minamillumi light-up is back this winter, happening from November 12 to February 15. Six venues in the area will be participating in this illumination special, namely the JR Minami Shinjuku Building, JR Shinjuku Miraina Tower, Suica Penguin Plaza, Takashimaya Times Square, Shinjuku Maynds Tower, and Shinjuku Southern Terrace.

Suica Penguin Plaza, located in front of Shinjuku Station’s New South exit between the promenade and Takashimaya Times Square, is bathed in gold lights. The plaza features an illuminated ‘welcome gate’, complete with two adorable penguin statues. You may recognise the penguin character from JR East’s Suica IC cards, which recently announced its bittersweet retirement.

Trees along the 46-metre-long promenade at Southern Terrace are also decorated with golden lights, and the plaza near Shake Shack even features a massive 3D illumination of Champagne glasses to mark the festive spirit. Venture further and you’ll come across a glistening green Christmas tree (until December 25) set up on the second floor of Takashimaya Times Square, plus even more lights that illuminate the entire terrace.

The illuminations take place daily from 5pm to 12midnight until the end of November, and from 4.30pm between December and February.

Sagamiko Resort Mori Mori has gone all out for its winter illuminations, featuring over six million dazzling LEDs. This year, there's an entire area dedicated to Tamagotchi – Japan's beloved digital pets from outer space. Expect to see Mametchi, along with his sidekick Kuchipatchi and other pocketable pets such as Memechi.

You can hop on the park’s Mametchi and Kuchipatchi themed Rainbow Chairlift and sail over colourful stripes before reaching the top of a hill, where you'll find a series of illumination art walls showcasing the whole Tamagotchi family. Keep wandering and you might stumble upon a mysterious UFO beaming with colour – maybe a hint at where these pocketable pets really came from. To wrap up the night, take in the dazzling lights and sweeping mountaintop views from the Ferris wheel or hop on the Tamagotchi Starry Sky Pedal for stunning panoramas and a light leg workout.

While you’re there, indulge in Tamagotchi-themed meals and snacks. Enjoy a hearty Tamagotchi Poka Poka Star Ramen or the voluminous Mametchi's Omurice Curry Doria Plate. Prefer something sweet? Then check out Furawatchi's flower crepe or the Memechi mango sundae.

A spectacular journey through the mysteries of an ancient civilisation arrives in Tokyo this autumn with ‘Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru’, held from November 22 2025 to March 1 2026 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery. Making its highly anticipated Asian debut, the exhibition has already captivated over 540,000 visitors across four cities worldwide since its 2021 premiere at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Florida.

Endorsed by the Peruvian government, the exhibition features approximately 130 artefacts on loan from Lima’s renowned Larco Museum, many of which are being displayed in Japan for the first time. Highlights include opulent gold adornments unearthed from royal tombs and sacred ritual items used in ancient temples, offering an intimate look at the artistry and spiritual life of the Andean civilisations.

Visitors can also experience an immersive recreation of Machu Picchu, the iconic city in the clouds, realised with cutting-edge digital technology. The exhibition’s narrative centres on the mythic hero Aiapæc, inviting audiences on an intellectual and emotional adventure through history, legend and archaeological wonder.