Tokyo New Year Countdown Events 2025–2026: Complete Guide

Unlike some cities that host a single large fireworks show, Tokyo’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are spread across different areas and take many different forms. From government-organized official countdowns to youth-oriented city parties, as well as theme parks and observatory-style New Year options, Tokyo offers a wide variety of ways to welcome the new year. Below is a curated guide focusing on “countdown-style events,” featuring the most representative New Year’s Eve events in Tokyo—each suitable for direct itinerary planning.

Complete Guide to Tokyo New Year Countdown Events

Happy New Year Tokyo 2026 (Official Tokyo Metropolitan Countdown)

• Date: December 31, 2025
• Time: Doors open 21:30, countdown at 23:30, ends around 24:10
• Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Plaza (Shinjuku)
• Admission: Free
• Official Website: Tokyo Nighttime Project

This is the official New Year countdown event organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Rather than a wild party, it focuses on combining city scenery, art, and music into a public cultural event. Held in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the venue itself symbolizes Tokyo’s urban identity and makes for a very “Tokyo-like” New Year experience.

The event features large-scale projections, stage performances, and light installations throughout the evening. The countdown moment relies on music and lighting rather than fireworks, creating a lively yet orderly and safe atmosphere. It is ideal for travelers who want to experience Tokyo’s New Year spirit without clubbing.

COUNT DOWN PARTY 2026 (Shibuya Indoor Countdown Party)

• Date: December 31, 2025
• Location: Designated live houses or event venues in Shibuya
• Format: Ticketed indoor countdown party
• Official Website: COUNT DOWN PARTY 2026

COUNT DOWN PARTY represents a classic Tokyo-style New Year celebration for young adults. Usually held in live houses or clubs around Shibuya, entry requires a ticket. DJs, live performances, and dance music dominate the night, and the countdown atmosphere is extremely energetic.

This type of event is best suited for travelers familiar with nightlife culture, with all participants aged 20 or above. Be sure to plan your return transportation in advance, as these parties often end late at night.

Please note: There will be no countdown event at Shibuya Crossing this year. For safety reasons, visitors are strongly advised not to gather there on New Year’s Eve.

Asakusa Hanayashiki New Year Countdown Night

• Date: December 31, 2025
• Location: Asakusa Hanayashiki
• Format: Amusement park countdown event
• Official Website: Asakusa Hanayashiki

Asakusa Hanayashiki is one of the few amusement parks in Tokyo that explicitly hosts a New Year countdown event. While the park is small, its nostalgic atmosphere offers a warm, traditional Japanese New Year vibe.

After the countdown, visitors can walk directly to Senso-ji Temple for their first shrine visit of the year. This “countdown plus hatsumode” combination is a popular choice among experienced travelers.

Countdown Musical Concert 2025–2026

• Date: December 31, 2025
• Time: Evening performance with countdown during the show
• Location: Tokyo International Forum, Hall A
• Format: Concert-style New Year countdown
• Official Website: Count Down Musical Concert 2025–2026

If standing outdoors in crowded countdown spots does not appeal to you, this concert-style countdown offers a refined and unique way to welcome the new year. Featuring selections from Broadway and well-known stage productions, the New Year moment is integrated into a formal performance, creating a ceremonial and elegant atmosphere.

The venue, Tokyo International Forum Hall A, seats over 5,000 people and offers excellent accessibility and indoor comfort. The audience tends to be mature and composed, making this an ideal choice for those seeking a meaningful yet calm New Year experience. Tickets are required and often sell out quickly.

Tokyo Skytree Town® New Year Events

• Period: December 26, 2025 – January 7, 2026
• Location: Tokyo Skytree Town (Oshiage)
• Contents: New Year decorations, performances, seasonal events
• Official Website: Tokyo Skytree Official Website

Tokyo Skytree Town’s New Year events are ideal for travelers who prefer a relaxed pace. Rather than focusing solely on New Year’s Eve, the celebrations extend throughout the first week of January, featuring illuminations, traditional performances, and seasonal displays.

Compared to crowded countdown events, Skytree Town is better suited for visits between January 1 and 3, combined with shopping, dining, or observatory visits. Its flexible format makes it especially suitable for groups with different travel rhythms.

Tokyo New Year Countdown Event Types: Which One Is Right for You?

Tokyo offers no single “must-attend” New Year countdown. Instead of following the crowds, consider whether you prefer excitement, ceremony, or a relaxed experience. Choosing the right type often leads to better memories.

Tokyo’s New Year countdown has no single correct answer. Choose based on your desired atmosphere—lively parties, peace of mind with official events, or ceremonial experiences at concerts or theme parks. Picking what suits you best matters more than choosing what’s most famous.

Where to Go in Tokyo for 2026 New Year?

SHIBUYA SKY New Year’s Day Sunrise Special Opening

• Date: January 1, 2026 (Thu)
• Location: SHIBUYA SKY (Shibuya Scramble Square)
• Contents: Sunrise viewing + New Year prayer ceremony
• Official Website: SHIBUYA SKY Official Website

Welcome the very first sunrise of 2026 from the highest point in Shibuya.

On New Year’s Day morning, SHIBUYA SKY hosts a limited-time “New Year Prayer” event, allowing participants to greet the first morning of the year from the rooftop observation space approximately 229 meters above ground. The event incorporates traditional Japanese Shinto rituals to offer prayers for the year ahead.

On the day of the event, a special altar will be set up at the rooftop observation area “SKY STAGE,” and a Shinto priest from Shibuya’s guardian shrine, Konno Hachimangu, will officiate the ceremony. After the sunrise, the priest will perform a consecration ritual using the first sunlight of the year as a symbol, infusing blessings into a limited-edition omamori charm. This exclusive “Sora Omamori” is available only at SHIBUYA SKY and will be gifted to every participant.

This unique experience combines urban scenery, natural light, and traditional belief, making it one of the rare opportunities in Tokyo to take part in a New Year prayer ceremony high above the city.

The event is ticketed with limited capacity, accepting only 330 participants. Special tickets go on sale starting at 10:00 AM on November 27. For those seeking a calm, dignified, and memorable way to begin the new year, this is a truly special option.

Event Schedule

• 05:30 – Entry begins (last entry at 06:30; free viewing after entry)
• 06:50 – Estimated sunrise time
• 07:10 – New Year prayer ceremony begins (including consecration of the Sora Omamori)
• 07:30 – Prayer ceremony ends (free viewing continues)
• 08:30 – Event ends, facility closes

※ In case of rain, thunderstorms, or strong winds, the rooftop “SKY STAGE” may be closed, and the ceremony may be held in a reduced format.

Exclusive Admission Gifts

• One Konno Hachimangu “Sora Omamori (Akebono)” charm
• One masu cup made of Akita cedar + Akita Junmai Ginjo sake “Fukukomachi” (or amazake)
• JPY 500 New Year coupon (usable at the SHIBUYA SKY souvenir shop and Paradise Lounge)

※ Sacred sake and amazake are purified in advance at Konno Hachimangu. One set per person. Available while supplies last.

Sunshine 60 Observatory New Year’s Day Sunrise

• Date: January 1, 2026
• Location: Sunshine 60 Observatory (Ikebukuro)
• Format: Indoor observatory sunrise viewing
• Official Website: Sunshine 60

If you prefer not to brave the cold early in the morning, the Sunshine 60 sunrise event offers a more comfortable alternative. The observatory is primarily indoors, making it less affected by weather or temperature changes, and suitable for visiting with elderly family members.

On New Year’s morning 2026, Sunshine 60 Observatory offers a special early opening limited to 210 participants. Visitors can enjoy the Tokyo skyline bathed in orange morning light from an indoor observation space approximately 251 meters above sea level. Compared to outdoor viewing spots, this location provides a warm and weather-resistant way to greet the first sunrise of the year.

In addition to sunrise viewing, participants will receive event-exclusive commemorative badges and original eco-friendly bags, as well as a serving of amazake. A very limited number of special seats are also available, including swing-style single seats and front-row couple seats facing east, adding a ceremonial touch to the experience. This is an excellent choice for travelers who wish to begin the year quietly and meaningfully.

Ikebukuro’s convenient transportation makes it easy to enjoy breakfast or shopping afterward, making this a practical and relaxed way to start the first day of the year.

Tokyo Disney Resort New Year’s Greeting Parade

• Dates: January 1–12, 2026
• Location: Tokyo Disney Resort
• Format: Parade performance
• Official Website: Tokyo Disney Resort

Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters appear dressed in traditional Japanese attire to wish guests a happy and prosperous New Year.

Performance duration: approximately 25 minutes

Performance Schedule:

• January 1–11: 11:20 / 15:25
• January 12: 12:00

Recommended Reading:

• Tokyo New Year’s Train Schedule 2026: Do JR Lines & the Yamanote Line Run on New Year’s Eve?
• Japanese New Year: the Traditional Japanese Culture in Nenmatsu Nenshi