Celebrating New Year in Japan

To celebrate Japanese New Year, spend December 31 eating toshikoshi soba and watching the Kohaku music special, then head to a Buddhist temple at midnight for the Joya no Kane bell-ringing ceremony. On January 1, wake at dawn for the first sunrise (hatsuhinode), then visit a Shinto shrine for hatsumode — your first prayer of the year. The celebration continues through January 3 with festive food, family gatherings and lucky charm shopping.

Japan's New Year — called Oshogatsu — is the country's most important national holiday, and one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences a traveller can witness. Over 90 million people — more than 70% of Japan's population — participate in hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, making it the nation's largest shared cultural event. The streets shift from their Christmas illuminations overnight, and by New Year's morning the entire country feels like a different place: quieter, more ceremonial, suffused with a sense of genuine renewal.

2026 is the Year of the Horse (Umadoshi). In Japanese culture, horses are considered sacred messengers of the gods — making shrine visits this year particularly auspicious, especially at horse-associated shrines like Kamigamo Jinja in Kyoto.

What Is Oshogatsu? A Brief History

Japan has celebrated New Year's Day on January 1 since adopting the Gregorian calendar in 1873. Before that, the date was determined by the lunar cycle. Today the celebration is known as Shogatsu, and the first three days — January 1 to 3 — are called Sanganichi, which translates roughly as "the first three days." Schools close for two weeks and most businesses shut from December 30 to January 3.

The holiday is rooted in Shinto belief. Traditionally, kami (deities) were thought to visit people's homes at New Year, which is why thorough cleaning, fresh decorations and settling of debts became essential preparation — you want the gods to arrive at a welcoming home.

How to Celebrate Japanese New Year: A Day-by-Day Guide

December 30–31: Omisoka (New Year's Eve)

The final day of the year is called Omisoka. Homes are thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom in a ritual called Oosuji — a spiritual as much as a practical act, clearing out the old year to make space for the new. Traditional decorations appear on doorways: Shimekazari (straw rope wreaths with Shinto paper strips and bitter oranges) to ward off evil spirits, and Kadomatsu (paired ornaments of pine, bamboo and plum) to invite the gods of harvest.

In the evening, families gather to watch the Kohaku Uta Gassen, NHK's epic New Year's Eve music battle between red and white teams of Japanese pop stars — one of the most-watched TV programmes in the country.

Before midnight, eat toshikoshi soba (year-crossing buckwheat noodles), whose long strands symbolise a long life and the hope of crossing smoothly from one year to the next.

At midnight, head to a nearby Buddhist temple for the Joya no Kane — the New Year bell-ringing ceremony. Temple bells across Japan are struck exactly 108 times, representing the 108 worldly desires that Buddhism holds responsible for human suffering. Each ring banishes one desire, clearing the slate for the year ahead. You can often line up to ring the bell yourself — a memorable experience.

January 1: Gantan (New Year's Day)

Rise before dawn for hatsuhinode — the first sunrise of the year. Japanese people believe catching this sunrise brings good fortune. In Tokyo, viewpoints at Tokyo Skytree, Odaiba and the Yamanote Line's elevated sections offer spectacular views; in Kyoto, Mount Kurama or Fushimi Inari are popular. Mt Takao in western Tokyo (50 minutes from Shinjuku) hosts a special overnight ceremony culminating in the sunrise.

Later in the morning, join the crowds for hatsumode — your first shrine or temple visit of the year (see dedicated section below). Wear something warm; queues at major shrines can stretch for an hour or more, and you'll be outdoors for much of it.

On returning home, the family traditionally eats o-sechi ryori — an elaborate multi-tiered lacquer box of prepared dishes, each carrying symbolic meaning (prawns for longevity, herring roe for fertility, black beans for good health). It's also traditional to eat ozoni, a regional soup with mochi rice cakes.

Children receive otoshidama — money in a special decorated envelope, one of the year's most anticipated traditions for younger family members.

January 2–3: Sanganichi (The First Three Days)

The celebrations continue. On January 2, the Emperor makes his annual public greeting at the Tokyo Imperial Palace — one of only two days each year that the inner grounds open to the public. Tens of thousands of people attend.

This is also prime time for a second or third hatsumode visit at a quieter shrine, shopping at New Year's sales (fukubukuro — lucky bags — are sold by stores containing mystery items at a significant discount), and continuing family gatherings.

New Year Traditions Explained

Shimekazari and Kadomatsu

Traditional New Year decorations that begin appearing from early December. A Shimekazari is a wreath of straw rope, Shinto paper strips, bitter oranges and fern leaves hung above doorways to ward off evil spirits. Kadomatsu — literally "pine gate" — are paired ornaments of pine, bamboo and plum placed at the entrance, welcoming ancestral deities and the harvest god.

Joya no Kane

The 108 bell strikes at Buddhist temples on New Year's Eve. Each strike of the bonsho (temple bell) banishes one of the 108 human desires that lead to suffering. The deep, resonant sound carries across neighbourhoods — even in large cities, you can often hear multiple temples ringing at once.

Omikuji and Omamori

At shrines during hatsumode, visitors draw omikuji (fortune-telling paper strips) to learn their luck for the coming year — ranging from Daikichi (great blessing) to Kyo (curse). An unfavourable fortune is tied to a wire rack at the shrine to be left behind. Omamori are protective amulets purchased for the year ahead; old ones are returned to shrines to be respectfully burned.

Nengu (New Year's Cards)

Japan posts hundreds of millions of greeting cards at New Year, with the postal service making a special effort to ensure all cards arrive on January 1.

Hatsuhinode

The first sunrise, greeted at viewpoints across the country. This tradition connects deeply with Shinto beliefs about renewal and divine energy at year's beginning.

Shishimai

A traditional lion dance performed at shrines and in shopping arcades during the first days of January, bringing good luck for the year ahead.

Emperor's New Year Greeting

On January 2, the Emperor greets the public from the Tokyo Imperial Palace balcony. The inner palace grounds are open only on this day and the Emperor's birthday (February 23).

Hatsumode: Japan's First Shrine Visit

Hatsumode (初詣) is the centrepiece of the Japanese New Year. Whether visiting a massive complex like Meiji Jingu in Tokyo or a small neighbourhood shrine, the intent remains the same: to connect with the divine at the threshold of a new beginning.

How to participate at a Shinto shrine:

1. Approach through the torii gate, walking to the side — the centre of the path is for the gods
   
   
2. Purify your hands at the temizuya (water fountain) — ladle water over each hand
   
   
3. At the main hall, drop a coin in the offering box (any amount)
   
   
4. Bow twice, clap twice, make your silent prayer, then bow once more
   
   
5. Purchase a new omamori for the year, and leave your old one to be burned at the shrine

At a Buddhist temple, the steps are similar but you don't clap — instead, you can burn incense to purify yourself before approaching.

Top hatsumode destinations:

Meiji Shrine in Tokyo typically welcomes over 3 million visitors during the first three days of January. Located in a forested enclave in Shibuya, its wide gravel paths are lined with yatai food stalls selling yakisoba and warm amazake (sweet rice drink). Arrive early morning or after 6pm to avoid peak crowds.

Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto attracts roughly 2.7 million visitors during the New Year period. Its thousands of vermillion torii gates winding up Mount Inari are especially atmospheric at night and dawn. The approach from the station is packed with vendors offering Inari-zushi, kushikatsu and duck soba.

Narita-san Shrine near Tokyo attracts around 3 million visitors, and Sensoji Temple in Asakusa draws approximately 2.8 million. Sensoji's Nakamise shopping street is fully festooned with New Year decorations and stalls during the holiday period.

Osaka's Sumiyoshi Taisha draws over 2 million visitors, and Kamakura's Tsuruoka Hachimangu is one of the Kanto region's most dramatic settings for the celebration.

Practical tip: The peak time at major shrines is January 1 from 10am to 4pm. For a more serene experience, visit in the early morning (around 7am) on January 2 or 3.

New Year Food and Drink

Japan is a paradise for food lovers, and Oshogatsu brings some of its most symbolic dishes to the table.

O-sechi ryori

The traditional New Year's Day feast, served in stacked lacquer Jubako boxes. Each element carries meaning: prawns for long life, herring roe for fertility, black beans for good health and diligence, datemaki sweet rolled omelette for scholarship and culture. Traditionally prepared over several days, today many families order pre-made o-sechi from department stores or restaurants — with premium boxes selling out well before December 31.

Ozoni

A warming soup eaten on New Year's morning, made with mochi rice cakes in broth. The ingredients vary significantly by region: Tokyo's version is typically a clear soy-sauce broth, while Kyoto's uses white miso. It's one of Japan's most regional dishes.

Toshikoshi soba

Eaten on New Year's Eve, these long buckwheat noodles symbolise crossing the year with longevity and resilience. The dish is simple — noodles in hot broth — but its timing makes it deeply ritual.

Mochi

The chewy rice cake is central to New Year in both food and decoration. The kagami mochi (mirror mochi) — a double-stacked mound of mochi decorated with a bitter orange — appears in homes and shops throughout the season.

Yatai festival food — At hatsumode, the paths to major shrines and temples transform into festivals of food stalls. Look for: amazake (warm sweet rice drink, non-alcoholic and ideal for cold January mornings), yakisoba (fried noodles), taiyaki (fish-shaped sweet pancakes filled with red bean paste), and tama-konnyaku (chewy konjac balls in savoury soy broth). These stalls are part of what makes hatsumode as much a festival as a spiritual event.

Getting Around Japan at New Year

For a JRPass audience, this section is essential.

Book Shinkansen seats early. New Year is the busiest domestic travel period of the year. The travel peak is expected between December 29–31 as people leave the big cities, and January 2–4 (especially January 3) in the return direction. On the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, all Nozomi services are reserved-seat only. We recommend making seat reservations 3–4 days ahead for any intercity travel between December 28 and January 3.

New Year's Eve trains. Many major urban lines add extended late-night services on New Year's Eve to accommodate hatsumode visitors. In Tokyo, several JR East lines run overnight services on December 31 to January 1; in Osaka, JR West's Osaka Loop Line continues running until 3am on New Year's Day, with trains every ten minutes. That said, Shinkansen and limited express services do not operate all night — they follow holiday schedules, and last departures are well before midnight. Check the specific line you need before going out.

Subway and metro. Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines do not run overnight on New Year's Eve. If you're at Fushimi Inari or Meiji Shrine past midnight and need to return to your hotel, plan your route in advance and identify the last train time.

Your JR Pass is valid throughout. The Japan Rail Pass covers all JR services during the holiday period with no extra fees. Use the JR Fare Calculator to check routes, and keep a Pocket WiFi handy for real-time navigation — especially useful in crowded shrine districts where data needs are high. <!-- LINK: JR Pass buy page, fare calculator, Pocket WiFi, seat reservation guide --> 

Practical Tips for Visitors

What's open and closed: Most museums and government-run galleries close from December 31 to January 3. Temples and shrines never close over New Year — in fact, they're at their most alive. Convenience stores remain open throughout. Large department stores typically close only on January 1 and reopen from January 2 with fukubukuro lucky bag sales.

Dress warmly. New Year in Japan is cold. If you're queueing outdoors at a shrine — which you will be at any major site — you could be outside for 30–90 minutes. Layer up, bring hand warmers (カイロ kairo, available at every convenience store) and wear comfortable shoes for cobblestone shrine paths.

Mind the crowds at major shrines. The queues at Meiji Shrine and Fushimi Inari on January 1 are genuinely enormous — enjoyable but plan for them. Consider visiting a smaller local shrine first thing in the morning, then one of the famous ones on January 2 when crowds ease considerably.

Return travel. January 2–4 is the busy return period, with January 3 especially congested. If your itinerary has any flexibility, travelling on January 4 or 5 will be noticeably easier and cheaper.

Experience something unique to the season. Hatsuhinode viewpoints fill up before dawn — arrive at your chosen spot at least 30 minutes before sunrise. The JRPass Interactive Map can help you plan which station gets you closest to the best sunrise views.

Christmas and New Year: The Transition

The shift from Christmas to New Year in Japan is almost theatrical. Christmas decorations come down on December 25 and New Year kadomatsu and shimekazari appear within days. Where Christmas Eve in Japan is a romantic occasion (read more in our guide: Do People Celebrate Christmas in Japan?), New Year's is a family affair — deeper, more traditional and far more significant in the Japanese calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do you celebrate Japanese New Year?

The Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu) is celebrated with a series of rituals spread across December 31 to January 3. On New Year's Eve (Omisoka), families clean their homes, eat toshikoshi soba noodles, and gather at Buddhist temples for the Joya no Kane bell-ringing at midnight. On January 1, people watch the first sunrise (hatsuhinode) and visit a shrine or temple for hatsumode — the year's first prayer. The first three days include festive food, family gatherings, lucky charm shopping, and the Emperor's public greeting on January 2. Over 90 million people participate in hatsumode each year — more than 70% of Japan's population — making it the country's largest shared cultural event.

2. What is hatsumode and how do I participate?

Hatsumode is the first visit to a shrine or temple in the new year, typically during January 1–3. To participate: walk to the side of the path through the torii gate, purify your hands at the temizuya water fountain, drop a coin in the offering box, bow twice, clap twice, make a silent prayer, and bow once more. Then purchase a new omamori (good luck charm) for the year ahead and leave any old charms at the shrine to be burned. No special clothing is required, and visitors of any background are warmly welcomed.

3. Which shrines are best for New Year in Japan?

The most popular are Meiji Shrine in Tokyo (over 3 million visitors in the first three days), Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto (roughly 2.7 million visitors), Naritasan Shrine near Narita Airport, Sensoji in Asakusa, Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka and Tsuruoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. For a less crowded experience, visit any of these on January 2 or 3 in the early morning rather than January 1.

4. Do trains run on New Year's Eve in Japan?

Most major urban rail lines add extended late-night services on New Year's Eve. Several major JR and private rail lines implement all-night service (終夜運転, shūya unten) running from around midnight to 5–7am on January 1, primarily on routes serving major shrines. However, Shinkansen services follow their regular holiday schedule and do not run overnight — plan your return journey accordingly and confirm schedules on the official JR East or JR West websites before you go.

5. Is Japan crowded at New Year?

Yes, particularly on public transport. The travel peak outbound from cities falls between December 29–31, and the return peak is January 2–4 (especially January 3). Major shrines on January 1 see queues of 30–90 minutes. That said, outside of transport hubs and the most famous shrines, much of Japan is noticeably quieter than at other peak periods like Golden Week or cherry blossom season.

6. What is toshikoshi soba?

Toshikoshi soba — literally "year-crossing soba" — is a dish of buckwheat noodles in hot broth eaten on New Year's Eve in Japan. The long noodles symbolise a long life and the hope of crossing smoothly from one year to the next. It is one of Japan's most universally observed New Year customs, eaten by families on December 31 just as the celebrations begin.