New Year is Japan’s main family holiday. Shrines and temples are busy, while museums, shops and small restaurants set their own closing days. Dates below for 2026–27 are only what had been announced when we checked; where the 2027 details were not yet published, we show the previous season as an example and say so.
Hatsumode: the first shrine or temple visit of the year
Meiji Jingu, near Harajuku Station, is open all night on 31 December and receives several million visitors between New Year’s Eve and 3 January (GO TOKYO). Expect queues and one-way crowd control. If you want a calmer visit, go later in the first week, or choose a smaller shrine near your hotel.
Photo credit
Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Displayed with a crop to fit the layout. Photo dates and seasons vary.
Photo credit
Dick Thomas Johnson · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Displayed with a crop to fit the layout. Photo dates and seasons vary.
Photo credit
Sitao Xiang · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Displayed with a crop to fit the layout. Photo dates and seasons vary.- Pick one main shrine or temple for the day and plan food and toilets around the queue.
- Use the station and exit recommended in each shrine’s New Year notice; normal walking routes can be closed.
- Carry little. A small bag is easier in crowds and at any bag checks.
The New Year Greeting at the Imperial Palace
In 2026 the general public visit took place on 2 January, with entry through the Main Gate (Nijubashi) from 9:30 to 14:10 and five appearances on the balcony of Chowa-Den Hall. When we checked, the Imperial Household Agency had not yet published the 2027 details, so treat these as last season’s pattern.
What is open: check each venue, not a general rule
Museums
Schedules differ. In 2025–26 the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo closed from 28 December to 1 January, while the Tokyo National Museum opened on the afternoon of 1 January for its New Year programme.
Restaurants
Many independent restaurants close for several days around New Year, and set menus can change. Confirm the dates directly and keep a back-up near your hotel.
Shops
Department stores and shopping centres publish their own year-end and New Year hours. Check the store’s notice before planning a shopping day.
Trains
Railways may run holiday timetables and any special late-night services are announced by each operator. Check the operator’s notice for 31 December night travel.
A calm four-day plan (editorial suggestion)
- 31 Dec
Light sightseeing and an early dinner
Book or confirm dinner in advance. If you join the midnight crowds, plan the return to your hotel before you go.
- 1 Jan
A slow morning and one visit
Many places close on 1 January. Choose one shrine, a park walk or a venue you have confirmed is open.
- 2 Jan
Imperial Palace or New Year sales
If attending the greeting, arrive early and travel light. Shopping streets reopen at different times.
- 3 Jan
Museum or neighbourhood walk
Combine a venue you have confirmed is open with a nearby meal, as in our three-day itinerary.
- Hotels fill and prices rise around New Year. Compare the total price for every night and check the cancellation deadline before paying.
- Weather is cold and dry; plan indoor breaks between outdoor queues.
Official sources and editorial notes
Sources checked 22 October 2026. 2027 schedules were not yet published for the Imperial Palace greeting or the museums named; dates for those are from the 2025–26 season and are examples only. The four-day plan is a JapaLens editorial suggestion, not an on-site review.
GO TOKYO — Hatsumode ↗ · Imperial Household Agency — New Year Greeting ↗ · MOMAT — year-end closure notice ↗ · Tokyo National Museum ↗