On December 31, 2023, Universal Studios Japan is organizing a special event called "NO LIMIT! Countdown 2024" to celebrate the new year. The event will take place for only one night.

The main attraction of the event is the Countdown Special Stage held in Gramacy Park. It will feature a condensed stage with performances that were introduced to the park in 2023. The shows will include "One Piece Premier Show" and "Halloween Horror Night." There will also be DJ parties, featuring popular park characters such as the Minions, Sesame Street, and Snoopy.

Fans are promised an unforgettable night, and it is expected to be a great way to welcome the new year.

As we near the climax of the New Year celebration, prepare yourself for the exhilarating "Countdown Moment". This exciting moment will feature around 4,000 colorful fireworks that will light up the sky, accompanied by music and lighting effects. It's guaranteed to create a thrilling atmosphere at the venue. Moreover, from 7:00 PM on December 31st until 9:00 PM on January 1st, you can enjoy unlimited rides on park attractions such as Super Nintendo World. Don't miss out on this exciting special stage and the spectacular fireworks display to say goodbye to the year!

Countdown Special Stage
・Location: Gramacy Park
・Time: Starts at 7:15 PM and continues until 12:15 AM (Each show lasts approximately 15-20 minutes)

Countdown Moment
・Location: Lagoon, Gramacy Park
・Time: Starts at 11:50 PM and concludes at 12:05 AM
To participate in "NO LIMIT! Countdown 2024," you will need to purchase a "Party Pass" (starting from 14,900 yen), which will be available through lottery sales, pre-sales, and general sales. For more information, please visit the official Universal Studios Japan website.

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The Osaka Port Countdown Cruise is a popular event that takes place on New Year's Eve. You can celebrate and welcome the New Year aboard the sailboat Santa Maria. The sailboat departs from Osaka Port at 11:30 PM and offers a one-hour tour of various locations in the Bay Area, including attractions like Kaiyukan and Universal Studios Japan.

The tourist cruise ship, which is twice the size of Christopher Columbus's flagship Santa Maria, has large sails that give it a retro charm reminiscent of a pirate ship from a storybook.

Inside the ship, you can enjoy a serene atmosphere and a live performance by the trio of artists known as the Rakuen Shokai. You can also participate in a grand New Year's lottery with fantastic prizes, adding excitement to the countdown. Additionally, you can take in the illuminations at Tempozan Harbor Village and Kaiyukan.

Welcome the new year while gazing at the slowly unfolding Osaka scenery from aboard a cruise!

Osaka Bay Countdown Cruise
・Date: December 31, 2023
・Time: 11:30 PM to 12:30 AM
・TEL: 0570-07-5551 (Osaka Water Bus Reservation Center, 10 AM - 4 PM)
・Price: Adults 5,000 yen, Elementary School Students 2,500 yen (*Includes one passenger fee, service charge, and consumption tax)

Kobe Fruit & Flower Park is a popular attraction in the Mita area of Hyogo Prefecture. It offers various activities such as amusement park rides, fruit picking, and BBQ experiences. However, during New Year's Eve, the park transforms into a lively countdown event venue.

The park is well-known in the Kansai region for hosting the Kobe Luminage, a famous illumination event. Its countdown party is equally impressive. Along with vibrant illuminations that adorn the facility, there's also a drone show featuring cutting-edge technology. You won't want to miss the depiction of the dragon symbolizing the Year of the Dragon in 2024.

Also, get ready for an electrifying live performance for the illumination music! The excitement doesn't stop there – a spectacular fireworks display will also light up the sky, making for a grand and unforgettable countdown celebration.

Certainly, here's the information with the prices on the same line:

KOBE Countdown 2024 Drone Light Show & Kobe Fireworks Event Overview
・Duration: December 31, 2023
・Venue: Roadside Station Kobe Fruit & Flower Park Ozawa
・Time: 10 PM - 2 AM
・Prices: General 9,800 yen, Premium (includes live performance) 13,800 yen, Pet 2,000 yen, Infants (free)

Kobe is a beautiful port city known for its stunning nighttime views often referred to as "Million-Dollar Night View." It offers an exciting Countdown Cruise, where you have the option to choose between two magnificent cruise ships: the lavish and opulent Japanese-style vessel, "Goza-sen Anzaku Maru," or the largest two-deck sightseeing ship in Kansai, the "Royal Princess."

The cruise departs at 11:00 PM and lasts for 80 minutes, taking you through the transition into the new year. The highlight of the cruise is the emotionally stirring countdown show held in front of the Mosaic Ferris Wheel.

During the cruise, there will be a game tournament with luxurious prizes up for grabs. How about enjoying the beginning of the new year while gazing at the beautiful night scenery from aboard the ship?

Countdown Cruise 2023-24 in Kobe Event Overview
・Date: December 31, 2023
・Time: Departure at 11 PM (Registration from 9 PM to 10:30 PM)
・Prices: Adults (Junior high school age and above): 5,000 yen; Children (Elementary school age): 2,500 yen
*Children below elementary school age are free, with one free child per adult.

Located in the stylish urban neighborhood of Dojima in Osaka, Zentis Osaka is hosting a Countdown Party to ring in the New Year. Despite being a business hub, Dojima is known for its trendy streetscape. The hotel is conveniently situated within a 10-minute walk from Keihan Nakanoshima Watanabebashi Station and Umeda Station, which serves various rail lines.

This is the hotel's first-ever Countdown Party since its opening, and the event features renowned DJ David Cox, part of the electronic duo autoKratz, who will set the stage for a night filled with music. Guests attending the Countdown Party can enjoy a special plan called Zentis Osaka New Year's Eve Stay 2023-24.

One delightful aspect of this event is that it's open to non-hotel guests. You can join in and welcome 2024 surrounded by the DJ performance while indulging in a free-flowing drink selection, including sparkling wine, cocktails, soft drinks, and more.

Zentis Osaka New Year's Eve Party 2023-24 Event Overview
・Date: December 31, 2023
・Location: Zentis Osaka, 1st-floor exclusive guest lounge and 2nd-floor "UPSTAIRZ Lounge, Bar, Restaurant"
・Time: 11 PM - 1 AM
・Price: 5,000 yen (Including 10% service charge and consumption tax)

The W Osaka hotel is a stylish and luxurious stay located in the heart of Osaka's Shinsaibashi district. The Countdown Party held here offers an extraordinary experience, creating a club-like atmosphere throughout the entire hotel. The event features renowned figures such as DJ Toni Varga from Spain, the traditional Japanese instrument ensemble TriNovation, and the multi-talented DJ and producer Yuuki Yoshiyama. Together, they create a vibrant New Year's Eve celebration that is sure to be unforgettable.

Enjoy a night of extravagance with free-flowing drinks and a buffet featuring dishes crafted by the hotel's chef. Premium and VIP seats offer the chance to savor traditional year-end soba and the opportunity to participate in a popular raffle with luxurious prizes, including hotel stays at various W Hotels worldwide and pair dinner tickets.

Plus, there's a plan that includes a WOW Suite stay after the event, allowing you to indulge in a luxurious and special night.

W Osaka COUNTDOWN PARTY 2023-2024 Event Overview
・Date: December 31, 2023 (Sunday)
・Location: W Osaka, 2nd-floor banquet hall
・Time: 9 PM - 1 AM
・Prices: General 18,000 yen (Standard free-flowing drinks, buffet), Premium Seat 30,000 yen (Standard free-flowing drinks, buffet, year-end soba), VIP Seat 300,000 yen (Premium Champagne bottle, standard free-flowing drinks, buffet, year-end soba, sushi platter)

The Moxy Osaka Shin-Umeda hotel is located in Umeda, which is a bustling tourist hub and one of Kansai's prime attractions. BAR MOXY lounge, situated on the first floor, is hosting a stylish Countdown Party.

At the event, Rennie & Mio, a dynamic dance unit famous for hosting many dance events and workshops focused on Latin dance, will perform a passionate dance routine. Attendees of the party can indulge in exclusive food and drinks, including traditional year-end soba. If you decide to stay overnight, you'll enjoy even more savings, making it an appealing option to celebrate the New Year in style.

2024 Countdown Party ~MOXY SALSA Collaboration~ Event Overview
・Date: December 31, 2023
・Location: Moxy Osaka Shin-Umeda, 1st-floor BAR MOXY lounge area
・Time: 9 PM - 1 AM
・Prices: 3,500 yen, Hotel guests 2,500 yen (Includes 2 drinks and year-end soba)

Looking for a unique way to spend your year-end and New Year holidays? Then you might want to check out Dhawa Yuuraku, a hotel located along the Kamogawa River in Kyoto. They offer a festive menu that includes a lunch buffet featuring a rich array of ingredients such as lobster, crab, and Kyoto's signature delicacies. In addition, they also have a special dinner course that you can indulge in. Experience the perfect fusion of Japanese and Western traditions this holiday season at Dhawa Yuuraku.

Starting from 11:00 PM on December 31st, you can enjoy a DJ performance by DJ SHIM TATSUYA, a prominent DJ based in the Kansai region. On New Year's Day, experience a traditional Japanese performing art called Noh dance performed by Noh actor Hiroki Matsuno, set amidst the hotel's symbol, the bamboo grove. Complimentary sake will also be served.

At Dhawa Yuuraku, where Japanese and Western elements blend seamlessly, you can be sure that the year-end and New Year holidays will be an exceptional and unforgettable time.

Dhawa Yuuraku Year-End Countdown Event Overview
・Period: December 31, 2023 - January 1, 2024
・Prices: 5,000 yen (Hotel guests 3,000 yen) (*Children aged 7-12 are half price, children aged 3 and under are free)
・Lunch Buffet: 13 years and older 5,500 yen, 4-12 years old 2,750 yen, children aged 3 and under are free
・Dinner Course: 14,000 yen per person

We've introduced some countdown spots held on cruise ships, theme parks, and luxurious hotels. One unique aspect of Osaka is that even strangers can get along well, and this characteristic holds true during countdown events. In that one moment of the countdown, everyone's feelings unite, and the excitement soars! We invite you to experience such a moment in Osaka.

(This article was originally published in 2019, with details added and updated in December 2023. For the latest information, please check the official websites and other sources.)