New Year in Japan 2027: Oshogatsu Traditions, What’s Open & 3-Day Itinerary

This article contains promotional / affiliate links.

New Year (Oshogatsu, お正月) is the biggest holiday of the year in Japan — bigger than Christmas, bigger than Golden Week. From December 29 to January 3, the entire country slows down for family, temple visits, special food, and lucky shopping bags. If you’re visiting Japan over the New Year period in 2026–2027, this guide covers everything: what’s open and closed, the best traditions to join, and how to make the most of a uniquely Japanese celebration.

What Is Oshogatsu? Japan’s Most Important Holiday

While Western countries celebrate on December 31st with parties and fireworks, Japanese New Year is quieter and more spiritual — closer in feeling to Western Christmas. Families gather, homes are decorated with pine-and-bamboo kadomatsu and sacred rope shimekazari, and the first days of January are spent visiting shrines, eating traditional food, and giving children gift money (otoshidama).

Key Traditions You Can Experience

1. Joya no Kane — 108 Temple Bells on New Year’s Eve

At midnight on December 31, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times — once for each worldly desire that causes human suffering. Some temples let visitors ring the bell themselves (arrive early and expect lines). Famous spots include Chion-in in Kyoto and Zojoji in Tokyo, where the bell tolls beside a glowing Tokyo Tower.

2. Toshikoshi Soba — Year-Crossing Noodles

Eating buckwheat soba noodles on New Year’s Eve symbolizes cutting away the old year’s misfortunes and living a long life. Soba shops are packed on December 31 — join the tradition at any noodle shop, or grab a bowl at a station stand for the authentic salaryman experience.

3. Hatsumode — The First Shrine Visit

Between January 1–3, millions visit shrines and temples for hatsumode, the first prayer of the year. Meiji Shrine in Tokyo alone welcomes over 3 million visitors. Buy an omamori (amulet) for the year ahead, draw an omikuji fortune, and warm up with sweet amazake from festival stalls. For smaller crowds, visit a neighborhood shrine — the experience is just as meaningful.

4. Hatsuhinode — The First Sunrise

Watching the year’s first sunrise is believed to bring good luck. Popular spots — coastal cliffs, mountain tops, and observation decks like Tokyo Skytree — open early and sell out fast. In Tokyo, the Kasai Rinkai Park waterfront and Takao-san summit are classic choices.

5. Osechi Ryori — New Year Feast in a Box

Osechi is a lacquered box of beautifully arranged dishes, each with symbolic meaning: black beans for health, herring roe for fertility, sweet chestnut mash for prosperity. Department store basements (depachika) sell gorgeous osechi sets — order by mid-December, or buy individual dishes at supermarkets to sample without committing to a full box (they start at ¥10,000+).

6. Fukubukuro — Lucky Bag Shopping

From January 1–3, stores sell sealed “lucky bags” containing mystery merchandise worth far more than the price tag. Apple, Starbucks, Muji and department stores all participate — lines form before dawn. See our complete Fukubukuro Lucky Bag Guide for strategies and the best bags of 2027.

What’s Open and Closed? (Practical Survival Info)

Key tips: Stock up on cash before December 30, book New Year’s Eve dinner in advance, and don’t plan museum visits for January 1. Convenience stores and chain restaurants are your reliable friends.

Sample 3-Day New Year Itinerary (Tokyo)

Dec 31: Afternoon stroll in Asakusa → toshikoshi soba dinner → Zojoji temple for Joya no Kane at midnight with Tokyo Tower views.
Jan 1: Sleep in → hatsumode at a neighborhood shrine → quiet afternoon in an open café → sunset from a free observation deck.
Jan 2: Fukubukuro shopping at Ginza department stores from 9am → Imperial Palace New Year public opening (Jan 2 only!) → izakaya dinner as the city wakes up.

New Year Etiquette Quick Guide

Say “Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu” (Happy New Year) after midnight — not before. At shrines: bow at the torii gate, cleanse hands at the water basin, toss a coin (¥5 is lucky), bow twice, clap twice, pray, bow once. Dress warmly — you’ll be outside in line, often after midnight in near-freezing temperatures.

FAQ

Is New Year a good time to visit Japan?

Yes — with caveats. You’ll witness Japan’s most important cultural traditions, but many restaurants and attractions close January 1, and domestic travel peaks around December 29–30 and January 3–4. Book shinkansen seats well in advance on those days.

Are trains running on New Year’s Eve?

In Tokyo and Osaka, many train and subway lines run all night on December 31 — the only night of the year. Check each line’s special schedule.

How much is otoshidama (New Year money)?

Children typically receive ¥1,000–10,000 depending on age, in special decorated envelopes (pochibukuro). As a visitor you won’t be expected to give it, but the envelopes make great souvenirs.

What should I buy as New Year souvenirs?

Zodiac-animal figurines (2027 is the Year of the Sheep), shrine amulets, decorated chopsticks, and mochi sweets. Department stores sell beautiful zodiac-themed goods from December.

Related Guides