From January 1–13, 2025, Tokyo Disney Resort will host special New Year’s events.

At Tokyo Disneyland, enjoy the "New Year’s Greeting," a vibrant parade featuring Mickey Mouse and friends dressed in traditional Japanese attire as they greet visitors (approximately 25 minutes, held once daily). Additionally, the entrance to World Bazaar will showcase decorative kadomatsu adorned with Mickey in traditional wear, enhancing the festive atmosphere. These decorations will be on display from December 28, 2024, through January 13, 2025.

At Tokyo DisneySea, don't miss the "New Year’s Greeting" at Mediterranean Harbor, where Mickey Mouse and friends, dressed in traditional Japanese attire, make a festive entrance aboard a boat to share their New Year wishes (approximately 10 minutes, held twice daily). You’ll also find decorative kadomatsu featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the entrance to MiraCosta Street, adding to the celebratory spirit. These decorations will be on display from December 28, 2024, through January 13, 2025.

Both parks will also feature exclusive merchandise celebrating the 2025 zodiac sign, the Snake, as well as items inspired by daruma dolls. Enjoy limited-time New Year-themed menu offerings, including festive zoni soup bowls, while soaking in the traditional Japanese atmosphere at Tokyo Disney Resort.

From December 26, 2024, to January 13, 2025, guests at both parks can receive a free daruma-themed card. These cards are perfect for writing your dreams and goals for 2025—simply ask a cast member if you'd like one!

From December 26, 2024, to January 7, 2025, Tokyo Skytree® will host its special New Year’s events. From January 1–3, 2025, between 5:45 PM and midnight (with additional lighting from midnight to 6 AM on January 1), enjoy spectacular special lighting inspired by the Japanese flag, accompanied by a laser-mapped "Happy New Year!" message. Additionally, from January 1–7, 2025, you can meet Sorakara-chan in a dazzling New Year’s kimono for the "Kimono Sorakara-chan Greeting."

To celebrate Japanese traditional culture, a unique sumo-themed event will take place on the Tembo Deck (Floor 350) of Tokyo Skytree®. Sumida Ward, home to Tokyo Skytree, is also known for Ryogoku Kokugikan and several sumo stables. In collaboration with the local Kise stable, you can challenge sumo wrestlers to a friendly match or take memorable photos with them. The same floor also features a photo spot styled like a New Year’s postcard, complete with bonsai decorations.

On the 4th-floor entrance level, the first 2,025 visitors to the observation deck will receive a special ema strap featuring Tokyo Skytree’s official characters, Sorakara-chan, Skobu-Bul, and Teppenpen.

Experience the enchanting world of Moomin at Moominvalley Park in Hanno, Saitama, during "WINTER WONDERLAND in MOOMINVALLEY PARK 2024."

As night falls, the park transforms with stunning light displays, projection mapping, and even occasional appearances of auroras. Don’t miss the "Moominvalley Illumination Parade," held twice daily at 5:30 PM and 7 PM, where Moomin meets the new character, Moren, in a heartwarming nighttime story. Other highlights include winter-themed projection mapping at the Moominhouse, interactive projection mapping on the Hattifattener Terrace, and auroras lighting up the skies above Moominvalley.

On weekends and holidays from November 2, 2024, to January 13, 2025, enjoy the "Moominvalley Lake Fireworks – Winter," a 5-minute fireworks show at 6:30 PM.

Sensoji Temple is a popular destination for Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. Crowds gather as early as midnight on December 31, forming long lines down Nakamise Street.

At midnight on New Year’s Day, the temple’s bell at Benten-yama, a small hill near Hozo-mon Gate, rings 108 times for the traditional "Joya no Kane" ritual, marking the arrival of the new year. Cheers erupt from the waiting crowd as the bell tolls, and a special New Year’s prayer ceremony begins at the temple’s main altar. These prayers continue every 30 minutes to an hour from January 1–7.

Nakamise Street, leading to the temple, is adorned with festive New Year decorations, creating a celebratory atmosphere. Note that due to heavy foot traffic, the street becomes one-way, allowing access to Sensoji only from Kaminarimon Gate. Make sure to join the queue at Kaminarimon, as entry from side streets is not permitted.

Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the new year, is a cherished Japanese tradition. Famous shrines and temples across Tokyo bustle with visitors during this time. Among them, Meiji Shrine, just a minute's walk from Harajuku Station, attracts the highest number of visitors in Japan every year. Its immense popularity often makes headlines, and on New Year’s Day, long lines form along the approach to the main hall.

The approach to Meiji Shrine offers several routes, but the Harajuku (South) entrance is highly recommended. Along the way, you'll spot barrels of sake donated by breweries, followed by Japan’s largest wooden torii gate, which sets a solemn tone as you pass through. At exactly midnight, the head priest strikes a large drum, signaling the start of the New Year, and visitors waiting at the main shrine begin their prayers in turn.

From New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day, the shrine remains open all night, bustling with visitors. On January 1, the shrine closes at 6:30 PM, while opening hours for January 2 and 3 are 6:40 AM to 6 PM, January 4 is 6:40 AM to 5:30 PM, and from January 5 onwards, 6:40 AM to 4:20 PM. Expect heavy crowds between 10 PM on New Year’s Eve and 3 AM on New Year’s Day, as well as after 10 AM on January 1–3.

For those seeking omamori charms, omikuji fortunes, or goshuin stamps, distribution areas are set up near the parking area at Meiji Jingu Kaikan (Harajuku and Yoyogi sides) and the Nishisando Lawn area (Sangubashi side).

Celebrate the New Year at Ohtori Shrine in Asakusa with traditional Japanese festivities. On January 7 at 11 AM, a serving of nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb rice porridge) will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, alongside fuku-mochi (lucky rice cakes), with tickets available from 10 AM.

Nanakusa-gayu is a light and refreshing porridge eaten on January 7 to pray for health and longevity. It features the seven spring herbs: seri (Japanese parsley), nazuna (shepherd’s purse), gogyo (cudweed), hakobera (chickweed), hotokenoza (nipplewort), suzuna (turnip), and suzushiro (radish). While international visitors might find the herbal flavor and slight bitterness unique, it’s a perfect way to rest your stomach after indulging during the holidays.

At Ohtori Shrine, the preparation of nanakusa-gayu is accompanied by the traditional nanakusa-bayashi chant: "Karato no tori to Nihon no tori to, wataranu saki ni nanakusa nazuna de hoo-hokekyo." This chant historically symbolized driving away harmful birds at the year's start and celebrating a bountiful harvest in advance. The herbs are lightly pounded with a pestle and ladle before being cooked into porridge.

The event also features a range of activities, including the sacred Kagura dance (Washimai), street performances, a raffle (11 AM–3 PM, 300 yen per entry), children's games, and hands-on mochi-pounding experiences held at 11 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2 PM. It’s a fun and interactive way to enjoy Japanese New Year traditions.

The Daikoku Festival is held at Kanda Myojin, the guardian shrine of 108 towns, including Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara. The festival celebrates Daikoku-sama, another name for Daikokuten, the deity of fortune, depicted wearing a hood, carrying a sack, and holding a lucky mallet.

During the festival, a Kagura performer dressed as Daikoku-sama swings the lucky mallet over visitors’ heads, offering prayers for good fortune. Ebisu-sama, holding a bell for prosperity, also makes appearances, but their timing is unannounced—meeting them is a matter of luck.

On January 18 at 10 AM, the festival will also host the Kanchu Misogi Gamankai, where participants cleanse themselves in ice-cold water with towering ice pillars, a traditional purification ritual.

Celebrate the New Year with exclusive Tokyo Bay cruises offered from December 31, 2024, to January 3, 2025. Choose from four unique cruise options:

Countdown Cruise (December 31): Set sail in the evening and welcome the New Year onboard, returning at 1:10 AM. Enjoy a choice of special course meals or buffet dining, both with free-flow drinks, including champagne, beer, wine, and cocktails.

First Sunrise Cruise (January 1): Depart at 5:50 AM to view the year’s first sunrise from the deck. Savor a New Year’s meal featuring ozoni soup or a buffet, accompanied by celebratory sake.

New Year Tokyo Bay Panorama Cruise (January 2): This 3.5-hour cruise explores iconic spots like Rainbow Bridge and Haneda Airport waters. Choose between the Sunshine Course departing at 11:20 AM or the Twilight Course departing at 4 PM. Both cruises include participation in a fun bingo game with prizes.

Sea Gacha Cruise 2025 (January 3): Enjoy a gourmet twist with a "gacha" element: a surprise main dish crafted by a dedicated chef, revealed only during the cruise. This French-inspired lunch departs at 11:50 AM, while the dinner cruise begins at 4:20 PM. The event also features a raffle with luxury prizes.

From December 21, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the Terada Warehouse in Tennoz, Tokyo, will host the "Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition TOKYO." This digital art museum brings the captivating world of ukiyo-e to life, offering a unique and interactive experience.

Featuring over 300 masterpieces by iconic ukiyo-e artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige, the exhibition transforms traditional works into stunning digital art using advanced 3DCG animations and projection mapping. Spanning about 10 immersive visual areas, this digital art museum allows visitors to dive deeply into the vibrant world of ukiyo-e.

Experience breathtaking themes like Ai ("Indigo"), showcasing the grandeur of "Japan Blue," and Rei ("Grace"), which vividly depicts the changing seasons. Each area offers a unique, immersive exploration of this traditional art form in a modern context.

January is a time to express gratitude for the past year and pray for health and peace in the new one through traditional Japanese customs like hatsumode (first shrine visit) and nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb porridge), a dish believed to bring good health. With daytime highs around 9°C (48°F) and lows near 1°C (34°F), Tokyo’s January weather can be quite chilly. Many events are held outdoors, so be sure to dress warmly when participating in these seasonal festivities.

(Note: Information in this article is accurate as of December 2024. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)