Enjoying the December Christmas season, the end of the year, New Year’s Eve, and the New Year in Tokyo 2025

Today, I will share ideas for enjoying the December Christmas season, the end of the year Nenmatsu, New Year’s Eve Toshikoshi, and the New Year Shogatsu in Tokyo.

Overview

In winter in Tokyo, the entire city is decorated with sparkling illuminations, creating a romantic and magical atmosphere. During this season, there are many perfect places to spend special time with family, friends, and lovers. You can rediscover the charm of Tokyo while enjoying the Christmas illuminations and feeling the bustle of the end of the year.

In addition to traditional temple and shrine tours and hatsumode (first visit of the year), it is also recommended to enjoy the night view from Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree on New Year’s Eve. It will be an unforgettable experience to be able to welcome the moment of the New Year with the beautiful scenery of Tokyo. We hope you will have a wonderful time that will remain in your memory in Tokyo, where Japanese tradition and modern charm are fused together.

First, about how to enjoy the Christmas season

The Christmas season in Tokyo is wrapped in a special atmosphere, and the city is decorated with glittering illuminations. At this time of year, Christmas is positioned as a fun event to spend with family and lovers in Japan, and many people go out to the city in search of a romantic moment. Japan’s historical cultural events are concentrated around the New Year holidays, and the culture of enjoying Christmas is a relatively new trend.

Below, we will introduce in detail the recommended illumination spots in Tokyo and how to enjoy them.

Odaiba

Odaiba is an attractive spot to visit during the Christmas season. The illumination of the Rainbow Bridge is particularly beautiful, and together with the night view, it creates a romantic moment. Odaiba has two large shopping malls, “Aqua City Odaiba” and “DiverCity Tokyo Plaza”. Aqua City has a wide variety of movie theaters and restaurants, so you can enjoy meals between shopping. Meanwhile, at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, you will be greeted by an impressive Gundam statue and a variety of shops and cafes. After enjoying the illuminations, you will be able to create wonderful Christmas memories through shopping and gourmet experiences at these facilities.

Ginza

Ginza is an area where you can enjoy sophisticated illuminations, which can be said to be a seasonal feature of winter in Tokyo. This city is known as a shopping district for luxury brands. On Chuo-dori, which runs through the center of Ginza, the street trees shine with beautiful illuminations from evening to night. The lighting is a simple yet sophisticated design that enhances the elegant atmosphere of Ginza. The brand shops along the street have Christmas and winter-themed window displays that are even more eye-catching in the light. It’s a great place to enjoy shopping and taking photos while strolling. When enjoying the illuminations of Ginza, be sure to experience a moment at a cafe or restaurant. For example, Shiseido Parlour offers sweets that are unique to this season, making it the perfect place to take a break between strolling around the illuminations. You can also enjoy a special dinner at a restaurant in a high-rise building where you can enjoy the night view. Special menus are available especially during the Christmas season, and eating while watching the illuminations will be a luxurious time.

Tokyo Station and Marunouchi

The area around Tokyo Station is decorated with gorgeous illuminations every year, attracting many people. The illuminations of “Marunouchi Nakadori” are particularly famous, and you can enjoy a fantastic sight while walking around the city. This area is lined with luxury brand shops, making shopping one of its attractions. In addition, Marunouchi has many stylish cafes and restaurants, perfect for dinner or lunch while watching the illuminations. We recommend that you make a reservation to enjoy a special Christmas dinner.

Roppongi Area

Roppongi is an area where special illumination events are held during the Christmas season. Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown are decorated with beautiful lights along with the night view of the city, attracting visitors. The view from the Sky Deck of Roppongi Hills is particularly spectacular, and you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere while overlooking the city of Tokyo. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants in Tokyo Midtown, where you can enjoy shopping and special Christmas cocktails.

Tokyo Skytree Area

The area around Tokyo Skytree is also lit up gorgeously during the Christmas season, welcoming many visitors. In particular, the shopping malls in “Tokyo Solamachi” offer Christmas-only products and special events that you can enjoy with your family and friends. The observation deck of the Skytree offers a panoramic view of Tokyo’s beautiful night view, making it a perfect date spot after enjoying the illuminations.

Enjoy the Christmas season in Tokyo to the fullest through illuminations and shopping at these spots. You will be able to experience the special winter glow of Tokyo and have a wonderful time that will be memorable.

Next, let’s talk about enjoying the end of the year in Japan.

The end of the year in Japan is full of traditional events, and it can be a special experience for tourists who visit.

First, as part of the end of the year culture in Japan, there is a custom of families doing “Osouji” together. Osouji is done in preparation for welcoming the new year with a refreshing feeling, and the entire house is cleaned. By participating in this event, you can feel the warmth of a Japanese family.

In addition, it is customary to eat “Toshikoshi Soba” at the end of the year. Soba noodles eaten on the night of New Year’s Eve are considered a symbol of longevity. Why don’t tourists visit a local soba restaurant and try this traditional dish?

Also, on New Year’s Eve in Japan, a special TV program called “Kohaku Uta Gassen” is broadcast. This program, in which famous Japanese singers compete in a red and white team, is watched by many households and has become a seasonal tradition at the end of the year. It can also be a fun experience to experience Japanese pop culture through TV.

Finally, it is recommended to visit a temple on the night of New Year’s Eve to hear the “Joya no Kane” (bells ringing at the end of the year). The 108 ringings are said to get rid of earthly desires and welcome the new year with a renewed spirit. By savoring this quiet moment, you can experience the spiritual culture of Japan.

Here are some specific places for foreign tourists to visit and experience Japanese culture at the end of the year.

Tokyo in December, as a city where tradition and modernity blend together, offers many fascinating cultural experiences. Especially at the end of the year, there are many uniquely Japanese events and festivals. For foreign tourists, we will introduce the end of the year experiences at Tokyo temples and how to enjoy the countdown in the city.

Spending the year at Tokyo temples

Sensoji Temple

As one of the oldest temples in Tokyo, Sensoji Temple is the perfect place to visit on New Year’s Eve. Here, you can hear the traditional bells ringing on New Year’s Eve and experience Japanese history and culture. The area around Sensoji Temple is filled with historical buildings and bustling shopping streets, making it the perfect place to enjoy the end of the year atmosphere.

Tsukiji Honganji

Tsukiji Honganji is a unique temple located in the heart of Tokyo, featuring beautiful Indian-style architecture. This place is loved by many tourists as a great spot to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. In particular, the New Year’s Eve Bell at the end of the year is an event that allows you to experience the special experience of welcoming the New Year in silence. In order to enjoy the New Year’s Eve Bell, it is important to first check the event time and details in advance and arrive early. Since it is expected to be crowded on New Year’s Eve, you can participate smoothly by planning ahead. It is also recommended to meditate while listening to the sound of the bells ringing 108 times. The sound of the bells is said to remove worldly desires and purify the mind, allowing you to calm your mind in a quiet environment. This is a good opportunity to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. After enjoying the sound of the bells, it is also meaningful to take time to stroll around the main hall and gardens and learn about Japanese Buddhist culture. Learning about the rich history and traditions of Tsukiji Honganji will make your visit even more special.

Zojoji Temple

At Zojoji Temple, located near Tokyo Tower, you can listen to the bells on New Year’s Eve. Listening to the sound of these bells and quietly welcoming the New Year will be a valuable experience in touch with Japanese spiritual culture. Zojoji Temple, which combines sightseeing and cultural experiences, is worth visiting.

Enjoying the countdown in the city

Countdown events are held at various locations in Tokyo. Unfortunately, there are no events to celebrate in the city; most events are held in hotels or plazas. Please check with your hotel for details in advance.

Here we will explain how to enjoy New Year’s Day and the New Year in Tokyo.

In Japan, New Year’s Day is January 1st and is a special day to celebrate the beginning of the new year. On this day, families gather and hold events to pray for peace and good fortune, and many companies and schools are closed. One of the customs on New Year’s Day is hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year). People visit shrines and temples at the beginning of the new year to pray for health and good fortune. It is also common to eat osechi cuisine, and various wishes are put into the colorful dishes. In addition, New Year’s cards are exchanged, and New Year’s greetings and messages of gratitude are conveyed. New Year’s Day is also a day to reunite with family and think about new resolutions, and it occupies an important position in Japanese culture. Take this opportunity to experience the charm of New Year’s Day. From now on, we will explain in detail how to enjoy the New Year.

Taste special osechi cuisine

On New Year’s Day, you can enjoy special osechi cuisine at many hotels and inns. Jubako boxes filled with colorful ingredients are a traditional dish for celebrating the new year in Japan. You can spend a special time while enjoying the luxurious ingredients and beautiful presentation. Experience Japanese culture and the blessings of the new year through osechi cuisine.

Enjoy Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

After enjoying osechi cuisine, go to hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year). Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple are particularly popular spots visited by many people. At Meiji Shrine, you can pray for the new year in a quiet atmosphere, and at Senso-ji Temple, you can enjoy a stroll through the bustling shopping district, drawing fortune-telling slips and purchasing amulets to tell your fortune.

Shopping and traditional performing arts as activities

We also recommend enjoying shopping as a special event for the new year. Many department stores and shopping malls hold New Year sales. Great value product sets called “lucky bags” are popular, and you can experience the lively New Year atmosphere of Tokyo through shopping.

It’s also a great opportunity to see traditional performing arts such as Kabuki and Noh. Special performances are often held to coincide with the New Year, allowing you to enjoy a special experience while experiencing Japanese culture.

New Year’s Day and the New Year in Tokyo are special times where tradition and modernity blend together. Enjoy a wonderful experience that will stay in your memory.

Summary

The December Christmas season, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s celebrations in Tokyo offer a special experience where tradition and modernity blend beautifully. During this period, Tokyo shines with glittering illuminations, and the whole city is enveloped in a romantic and magical atmosphere. At Christmas, there are many spots where you can enjoy beautiful illuminations with your family, friends, and lovers. You can enjoy exciting sights in various places such as Odaiba, Ginza, and around Tokyo Station.

At the end of the year, you can experience traditional events unique to Japan, and you can get in touch with Japanese culture by preparing for the new year with a big cleaning and eating toshikoshi soba noodles. You also can’t miss the events unique to this time of year, such as the Red and White Song Battle and the New Year’s Eve Bell.

In the New Year, you can fully experience Japanese culture through hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) and osechi cuisine. You can spend a rich time by quietly praying for the new year at Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple, watching traditional performing arts, and enjoying shopping.

A visit to Tokyo at this time of year will create special memories and be a heartwarming experience worthy of welcoming the new year. Be sure to enjoy the charms of winter in Tokyo to the fullest.