The New Year period is one of the most important holidays in Japan. While it can be a fascinating time to experience Japanese culture, travelers should also be aware of crowds, closures, and unique customs.
Here’s what you need to know before visiting Japan during the New Year’s holidays.
What to Expect During Japan’s New Year Holidays
Many Japanese people take extended vacations from late December through early January. Some travel domestically, while others return to their hometowns to spend time with family.
As a result, accommodation prices—especially at onsen ryokan (hot spring inns)—can be quite high during this period.
Transportation is also affected. Toward the end of December, Shinkansen bullet trains, highways, and domestic flights from major cities to rural areas become very crowded. Around January 3, the flow reverses, and transportation back to urban areas is especially busy.
One thing travelers can rely on: convenience stores remain open even during the New Year holidays.
However, many department stores and supermarkets close at least on January 1, and some tourist facilities shut down from January 1 to 3. Always check opening hours in advance.
Shrines will also be extremely crowded due to Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the New Year, which I’ll discuss later.
On the bright side, if you enjoy shopping, New Year is an excellent time to visit Japan. On the first business day of the year, department stores, shopping malls, and electronics shops hold Hatsu-uri (New Year’s sales), offering special discounts and limited items.
New Year’s Eve in Japan (Omisoka)
The most important dates during the Japanese New Year are December 31 and January 1. December 31 is called Omisoka, and January 1 is known as Ganjitsu.
Most companies finish work by December 30 at the latest, marking the “end of work” for the year. Although the Japanese fiscal year actually ends in March, the end of December is traditionally treated as a major turning point.
On Omisoka, many households do a thorough year-end cleaning to remove dust and bad luck from the past year. In the evening, people eat New Year’s Eve soba (toshikoshi soba), buckwheat noodles eaten as a symbol of longevity and good fortune.
Some famous soba restaurants attract long lines from early in the day, but most people enjoy soba at home. As midnight approaches, families count down together and welcome the New Year.
Let’s Go to Hatsumode!
Visiting a shrine for the first time in the New Year is called Hatsumode, and it is one of the most iconic Japanese New Year experiences.
Many people visit shrines late at night on New Year’s Eve or in the early hours of January 1. To accommodate this, trains often run all night on lines serving major shrines.
If you plan to go at night, dress warmly, as it can be very cold.
It’s important to know that Hatsumode is not limited to January 1. Visiting a shrine anytime by mid-January still counts, so there’s no need to brave the biggest crowds unless you want to experience the atmosphere.
From January 1 to 3, famous shrines—especially those believed to bring good luck—can be extremely crowded, with long waiting times. Travelers should be prepared for large crowds and slow movement.
New Year Customs in Japan
New Year’s Day is traditionally spent with family. Many people return to their hometowns to gather with relatives.
The standard New Year greeting is “Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu” (Happy New Year). This greeting is used when meeting someone for the first time in the New Year, generally during the first week of January.
Children look forward to receiving Otoshidama, money given by parents, grandparents, or relatives. The amount varies depending on age and family relationship, and it is usually given until a child starts working. Some children save it, while others spend it freely.
Because of this custom, many adults jokingly admit they feel mixed emotions about family gatherings at New Year.
Traditional New Year Foods: Osechi and Mochi
Osechi is a special set of New Year dishes shared by families. These foods are packed in stacked boxes called jubako, and each dish carries a symbolic meaning related to health, happiness, or prosperity.
While some families prepare osechi by hand, many now purchase it from department stores or supermarkets. In my own family, we only make a few favorite dishes and buy the rest.
Another essential New Year food is mochi, made from steamed glutinous rice. Mochi is eaten grilled or in soup and symbolizes longevity and growth.
Travelers may not easily encounter osechi or mochi unless staying with a Japanese family, but many hotels and ryokan serve them on New Year’s Day, offering a great opportunity to try these traditional foods.
Is New Year a Good Time to Visit Japan?
Traveling to Japan during the New Year’s holidays comes with challenges—crowds, closures, and higher prices—but it also offers a rare chance to experience Japan’s most important traditions.
If you plan carefully and embrace the slower pace, New Year can be a deeply memorable time to visit Japan.
🎍 Why not spend your next New Year’s holiday in Japan?