New Year's Eve and New Year events in Japan 2026–2027
How to spend Japan's biggest holiday: countdown parties with fireworks, a midnight shrine visit to carry home the sacred fire, the Hakone Ekiden relay on January 2–3 and early-January shrine festivals. All dates are checked on official sites.
Where to stay
Events by date (6)
Entertainment
Osaka / Universal City
Universal Studios Japan New Year's Countdown
Thu, December 31, 2026 – Fri, January 1, 2027
Culture
Kyoto / Gion
Okera Mairi at Yasaka Shrine
Thu, December 31, 2026 – Fri, January 1, 2027
Entertainment
Nagasaki / Sasebo
Huis Ten Bosch Countdown Fireworks
Thu, December 31, 2026 – Fri, January 1, 2027
Entertainment
Kanagawa / Hakone
Hakone Ekiden University Relay
Sat, January 2, 2027 – Sun, January 3
Culture
Fukuoka / Dazaifu
Dazaifu Tenmangu Usokae & Onisube Rituals
Thu, January 7, 2027
Culture
Osaka / Naniwa
Toka Ebisu at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
Sat, January 9, 2027 – Mon, January 11
Found an event? Book a hotel early — rooms near popular events sell out.
Good to know
- Trains run all night on New Year's Eve on many lines in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, but check each line's timetable — some no longer do.
- Many shops, museums and restaurants close from December 31 to January 3; book meals and hotels early.
- Shrines are busiest from midnight to the afternoon of January 1; visiting on January 2 or 3 is calmer.