NEW YEAR'S EVE IN JAPAN - TRADITIONS AND PLACES TO CELEBRATE 2024
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NEW YEAR'S EVE IN JAPAN - TRADITIONS AND PLACES TO CELEBRATE 2024

Celebrating the New Year in Japan might be a little bit different from western countries, but there are a various events you can take part in to welcome the New Year.


If your first time spending New Year's Eve in Japan, you will likely find it a lot different from most western countries. The festivities and traditions here are a little bit different, but I am sure you can enjoy it a lot and welcome 2024 in the best way possible.


Traditions for New Year celebrations in Japan


In Japan, the most common way to celebrate the New Year is by praying. That is why Temples and Shrines are flocked with people in the first day of the year. The HATSUMODE, which is the first prayer of the year is a widely practiced custom of the Japanese. Most temples are opened since midnight, and people gather to pray. There is also the tradition of the JOYA NO KANE, which consists of monks ringing the temple's bell for 108 times. Also, along with the Hatsumode, you can test how is your luck for the new year in the OMIKUJI, a fortune written is a piece of paper, you can buy those papers in temples and shrines, which is very fun, you will see a lot of people doing it in these places. If you are in Tokyo, you have the opportunity to see this beautiful tradition in one of the most famous temples in Japan: Senso-ji, in Asakusa. In some temples and shrines you will find food and souvenir stalls which will enrich your experience in Japanese New Year's Celebration. If you inted to visit temple and shrines on the first day of the year, have in mind that these places will be crowded.




Another popular tradition is the HATSUHINODE, which consits of watching the first Sunrise of the year. According to the legends, the deity of the New Year, Toshigamisama, appears during the first sunrise of the year. For the Japanese, watching the Hatsuhinode is an opportunity to pray for a good year and make New Year's resolutions. People usually gather on famous spots in Japan, like Mount Fuji, Mount Takao, famous beaches and famous Torii gates, in addition, people also go to famous towers and tall buildings in big cities like Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Sky. To contemplate the Hatsuhinode from these towers and buildings it is suggested that you book special tickets for the first sunrise in advance, as they usually sell out before the new year's eve.



Aside from the religious traditions, there are the shopping traditions for the new year's, most Outlet malls and famous shops are on sale for the first day, or even for the first week of the year. These places are usually crowded on these days, and there are always good opportunities to buy that long wanted product for a better price. Together with the Outlet and Shops sales, there are also the FUKUBUKURO, or best translating the Lucky Bags, which are bags where shop owners put random products and sell them with huge discounts. Almost all stores in Japan make them, and it is a very popular way to buy products in the beggining of the year. I particularly love these Lucky Bags, because contents are always amazing and the discount is really worth it. Something you need to know before buying the lucky bags is your size for clothes and shoes. Remember the good deals sell out fast, so if you want to grab a good lucky bag arrive early.





Another popular item at the end of the year is the NENMATSU JUMBO TAKARAKUJI, a special lottery for the end of the year, with a prize of 700 millions of yens (equivalent to almost 5 million of dollars). It is a strong tradition, so even the people that don't have the habit of gambling in the lottery usually buys it for the end of the year. You can buy the ticket in any Takarakuji chance center. It is not much money compared to other countries lotteries, but winning such a price does make a very happy new year, I must say.



In the food field there are some popular dishes for the new year. One of the most appreciated dishes is the soba noodles, a special noodle made of buckwheat, there are soba specialized restaurantes in Japan, but you can also find instant soba noodles in supermarkets and convenience stores, as some people may have buckwheat allergy, check in advance if you not allergic to it. A common custom of the Japanese is eating Sushi on the first day of the year, so all sushi restaurants will be packed on this day. It is also nice to visit one of this places as the atmosphere in this day is nice as everyone is welcoming the new year. In addition to these traditions, there is the KAGAMI MOCHI, a special mochi for the new year, if you go to a supermarket or shopping mall you will certainly see one of those for sale, two mochis one on the top of the other representing the old and the new year, it is said that if you put one of these in your house you will receive the visit of Toshigamisama and this will bring good luck to house, specially in preventing house fires and domestic disasters.





Another important habit in Japan is the NENMATSU OSOUJI, which means the cleaning of the end of the year, it is usually done on the last weekend of the year, when the whole family gets together to clean the entire house, specially the windows, so they can start a fresh and clean New Year. After the cleaning is done, they put special Japanese traditional new year's ornaments. Some put a SHIMEKAZARI, which is a new year's wreath and the KADOMATSU, three bamboo parts pointing up. You will certainly see those decorations not only in houses but also in stores and restaurants you may visit in the new year season.




Places and Events to celebrate the New Year


After we listed some important traditions in Japan for the New Year's celebrations, I will list here some places and events you can enjoy the welcome for the new year.



Senso-ji, Asakusa, Tokyo


For the HATSUMODE in Tokyo, one of the most visited places for the New Year is Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. People get together to visit the temple before midnight to practice the Hatsumode. At midnight monks ring the bell for 108 times (not at once). There is a long line for people who wishes to pray in the temple, so it is an opportunity to spend a different type of new year, so I highly recommend you doing that if you are looking for new experiences.


Shibuya Sky


Shibuya Sky will hold a special event in the first morning of the year for people who wish to practice the HATSUHINODE, the event will start at 5:30am with a special program for the first morning worship, including a prayer for the new year. The admission ticket will be ¥6500 and you get some privilege gifts for participating in the event. Tickets will only be sold on-line, so be sure to check Shibuya Sky website in advance.


Universal Studios Japan Countdown


Another way to enjoy New Year's in Japan are the theme parks. Universal Studios Japan will hold a one-night-only countdown event. There will be stage shows, a DJ dance party with Park friends, and a huge fireworks presentation for the countdown. The ticket will grant access to the park from 7pm until 9am, so it will be 26 hours of fun inside USJ. Be sure to book your tickets in advance online (USJ website) , as this type of tickets tend to sell out very fast.


Tokyo Countdown Cruise to Rainbow Bridge 2023-2024


You can also enjoy a nice cruise in Odaiba in New Year's Eve. With the beautiful view of Rainbow Bridge that connects Tokyo to Odaiba, this cruise offers fun at sea with an excellent menu selection and free drinks. A ceremony will be held at New Year's moment where all present people will release balloons from the deck. There will be music perfomances of cover songs and a magician performing magic shows to entertain people.

The view of Tokyo Bay will surely be an unforgettable scenery. You can book tickets for the cruise at Rakuten Travel Experience website.


Yokohama Fireworks


Fireworks are not a huge habit in Japan, but Yokohama is promising a nice presentation this year, fireworks displays will be happen in two venues at the same time - Shinko Pier and Osanbashi. An interesting point is that they will start it three minutes after midnight, because Yokohama has a unique tradition of ships in port sounding their horns at midnight, in a reference to Joya no Kane tradition. So, Yokohama seems to be an excellent option for those who want to experience a new year at the port.


Sagamiko Illumillion Countdown Party


This event will be held at the famous Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forest in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. Along with the illumination, the countdown party will host DJ perfomances, bands and idols. At this party fireworks shows will also be displayed to celebrate the new year. Fun way to welcome the New Year.


Kobe Countdown 2024 Drone Light Show and Fireworks.

Celebrating the 30th year of Kobe Fruits and Flowers Park, a new year countdown will be held to celebrate the upcoming year. Live concerts and food booths will be part of the large scale illumination. The most thrilling moment of the night will be the drone show and fireworks of nice design and artwork, including dragons to celebrate the year of the dragon.

A night of celebration with good entertainment and good technology to welcome the new year.


Along with these places normally hotels offer a dinner party for the New Year's Eve as well as night clubs. Also temples are always a good way to receive the New Year and they are present all over Japan.


Something to have in mind at this time of the year is that most Museums and some attractions are closed for the first day of the year, so check in advance if all your plans are suitable for this day.


New Year's Eve is always an opportunity to be grateful for the ending year and wish for an excellent New Year, so if you are in Japan, regardless the way you are celebrating it, I am sure it will be a kind memory of your trip.


Hope you have an excellent celebration and a very Happy New Year.


BONUS: After midnight you can wish people a happy new year in Japanese: Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!!


Michelle Motoki










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