Where to Celebrate New Year in Tokyo

As the year draws to a close, Tokyo comes alive with vibrant celebrations and meaningful traditions that mark the transition into a fresh chapter. From serene temple ceremonies to highly-anticipated countdowns, Tokyo offers a myriad of options for ringing in the new year. Each event paints a unique portrait of how diverse communities come together to welcome the New Year with hope and joy in Japan’s capital city. Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting events happening this year!

Happy New Year Tokyo 2025

This countdown event, part of the Tokyo Nighttime Project, is designed to highlight the vibrant culture and innovative spirit of Tokyo while revitalising nighttime tourism in the Nishi-Shinjuku area. The event will include a dynamic lineup of activities designed to make the New Year celebration unforgettable, including a Projection Mapping Countdown that will illuminate the Tokyo skyline. 

Live performances will feature the captivating taiko drumming of the renowned Taiko Performing Arts Group Kodo and an electrifying DJ set by Tomoyuki Tanaka, also known as FPM (Fantastic Plastic Machine). Adding to the excitement, special guest Tsubasa Imai, a popular actor and talent, will host a talk session reflecting in 2024. Attendees can also participate in a meaningful activity by submitting digital votive plaques to share their hopes for the New Year, which will be displayed during the event. 

The event will take place at the Citizen’s Plaza at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Food trucks and additional festivities will be located near the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building.

Event Details:

• Cost: Free of charge.
• Application: Open until December 9, 2024. Attendees will be chosen by lottery.
• Live Streaming Link

This event offers a unique way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, blending cultural heritage with modern entertainment in one of Tokyo’s most iconic settings. For more details, visit the official website:
Tokyo Nighttime Project.

Kimpton Shinjuku Countdown Party

This exciting countdown party is hosted on the 17th-floor of the Kimpton Hotel in Shinjuku, offering stunning views of the city skyline. Guests can enjoy a lively evening filled with live entertainment and an all-you-can-eat hors d’oeuvre buffet.

The night will feature electrifying beats by the DJ unit FancyBoys, dynamic performances by the Gogo Boys and a dazzling drag show by local queens Ciccone, Tsubako Uzushio, Kira Kira and Prism.

Admission is ¥5,000 (plus a 15% service fee) and includes a complimentary drink along with a bowl of toshikoshi soba—a traditional New Years dish that symbolizes crossing into the New Year.

Event Details:

• Website: bit.ly/countdown2425
• Where: Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, an IHG Hotel
• Time: 10pm-1am

Zojo-ji Temple New Year’s Countdown: Celebrating under Tokyo Tower

On December 31st, both locals and visitors gather at Zojoji Temple to partake in the cherished tradition of hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year. This practice offers an opportunity to reflect on the past year with gratitude, and to wish for health, happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.

The highlight of the night is the ringing of the joya no kane, a ceremonial bell rung as midnight approaches to greet the New Year. The bell is struck 108 times, representing the Buddhist belief in cleansing oneself of the 108 earthly desires. At Zojoji Temple, this ritual is a communal effort, with participants taking turns to strike the bell, completing the sequence in about an hour. The event sets a tranquil and spiritually uplifting tone for the year to come, embodying hope and renewal.

Raise NYE Countdown 2025

RAISE Tokyo is set to host its “RAISE NYE Countdown 2025” on December 31 at Tokyu Plaza Ginza. The event promises a spectacular night with more than 20 performers and DJs, including DAIKI, SWT, MASAHIRO, D.A.I and DOAMA, delivering electrifying performances beneath the venue’s impressive 27-meter-high ceiling. A highlight of the evening will be the expansive balloon drop, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Event Details:

• Date and Time: December 31, 8pm-4:30am
• Location: Tokyu Plaza Ginza 6F, 5 Chome-2-1, Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo, 104-0061
  

Admission:

• 8-10pm:
  • Men: ¥5,000 (All-You-Can-Drink until 12am)
  • Women: ¥3,000 (All-You-Can-Drink until 12am)
• 10pm-12am:
  • Men: ¥6,000 (2 drinks included)
  • Women: ¥4,000 (2 drinks included)
• 12am-Close:
  • Men: ¥4,000 (2 drinks included)
  • Women: ¥3,000 (2 drinks included)

Guests arriving between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM can enjoy discounted admission and free-flow drinks until midnight. The event will also feature special performances every 30 minutes, including pole dancers and male dancers, with guest performers joining in. VIP reservations are available for those seeking an exclusive experience.

For more information and reservations, visit the official event page.

Maduro’s New Year’s Eve Countdown at Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Maduro, the sophisticated bar and jazz lounge in Grand Hyatt Tokyo. From 11pm to 1am on December 31, enjoy live music and free-flowing vintage Champagne. Two exclusive plans are available:

• Free-flow Louis Roederer Cristal: ¥132,000 per person, including 90 minutes of unlimited Cristal Champagne and 50g of Oscietra caviar.
• Free-flow Krug Grande Cuvée: ¥66,000 per person, offering 90 minutes of unlimited Krug Grande Cuvée Champagne, accompanied by canapés and sweets.

Please note that the Krug Grande Cuvée plan is currently sold out. Reservations are limited to three tables, with a maximum of two guests per booking. Secure your spot by booking online before 11pm on December 29.

For more details and to make a reservation, please visit the official website.

New Year Countdown Cruise Around Tokyo Bay

Embark on a two-hour cruise through Tokyo Bay, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the city’s glittering skyline, Odaiba’s vibrant lights and the iconic Rainbow Bridge. As the clock strikes midnight, raise a glass of champagne to welcome the New Year in style.

The cruise offers a choice between a set course meal or a buffet, paired with an unlimited drinks menu that includes beer, wine, cocktails, whisky and non-alcoholic options. Adding to the festive ambiance, live music performances will keep the celebrations lively throughout the night.

Event Details:

• Cost: Tickets are priced at ¥25,000, and include food, drinks and entertainment. Reservations can be made online.
• Location: Boarding begins at 10:25pm at Hinode Pier. The pier is just a 5-minute walk from Hinode Station, 13 minutes from Hamamatsuchō Station or 17 minutes from Daimon Station.

From the tranquil rituals at Zojoji Temple to the electrifying countdown parties across Tokyo, these celebrations highlight the beauty of connection and shared aspirations. Japan’s New Year’s festivities remind us that no matter where we are, the universal spirit of renewal and community lights up the journey ahead. Let the dawn of 2025 inspire a year filled with boundless possibilities.