I don’t want you to get caught out (like I have) during the New Year period in Tokyo.
Many people think I’m exaggerating almost EVERYTHING is closed down (especially once you step out of the city.)
I wanted to use this post to suggest some Jan 1-3, 2024 options. Especially for families who are looking for open options in Tokyo.
January 1-3 is the most “shut-down” you will ever see Tokyo be – with even some suburban convenience stores closing their doors 1-2 days.
If you are on holidays in Japan during this time, I highly recommend using this period of time to treat yourself to a ryokan or a hotel with beautiful baths and in-house restaurants. This is a great time to take a leaf out of the rest of Japan’s book and slow it all right down – experience Japan from your own special spot.
The early January break is actually a good thing as Japanese people rarely, rarely take holidays and this may be their only break.
Also, the city gets quiet as Japanese people travel to their hometowns and spend time with their family in the same way that we do, in Australia, at Christmas time.
I actually really, really love the quiet time.
With kids though… 2-3 days of hanging around at home makes me a little bit mental!
Here are my picks for some suggestions for things to do for those empty/ extra days in Tokyo :
Okay, just a little tip if you’re ANYWHERE in Japan and need something to eat and basic supplies? Your local combini (convenience store) is the answer today.
Here are some suggestions for food that you can get at a convenience store that isn’t just junk food in Japan.
Head to a major hotel chain if you want to eat out.
Your Hiltons and Hyatts etc.
They will be open too. Their hours could be reduced though – and google doesn’t always keep up to date so best to check their website.
Don’t forget about department store dining options
Daimaru Tokyo
Jan 1 : Completely closed
Jan 2: Basement to 11th floor open 9:30am-7:30pm and restaurants open for from 11am-7:30pm. (Warning: Daimaru expects the store to be very crowded because of sales on this day – so much so that they may open 30 mins earlier)
Jan 3: Business as usual
Nihonbashi Takashimaya
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-7pm (11am-7pm for restaurants)
Jan 3: Business as usual
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2: 10am-7pm (9th & 10th floor restaurants are open from 11am-10pm)
Jan 3: Business as usual
Hankyu Mens Tokyo
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2: 10am-9pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Omotesando Hills
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2 & 3: Shops open 11am-7pm & restaurants 11am-9pm
Tokyu Plaza Ginza
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-8pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Ginza Six
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10:30am-8pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Matsuya Ginza
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Completely closed
Jan 3: 11am-8pm
Ginza Mitsukoshi
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-7pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Seibu Ikebukuro
Jan 1: 10am-8pm* expected to be extremely busy and may open even 30 minutes early if there is a crowd outside.
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual
Tobu Ikebukuro
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:30am-6pm * expected to be extremely busy and may open even 30 minutes early if there is a crowd outside.
Jan 3: Business as usual
Sunshine City Alba, Ikebukuro
Jan 1: Shops open 10am-6pm & restaurants 11am-6pm
Jan 2&3: Business as usual
Ikebukuro Yamada Denki
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Open from 10am (unsure of closing time.)
Shibuya Seibu
Jan 1: Shops open 10am-6pm & restaurants 11am-7pm & Muji & Loft are open 11am-6pm
Jan 2&3: Business as usual
Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-8pm (some shops will remain closed)
Jan 3: Business as usual
Shibuya Scramble Square
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2 & 3: B2-11F open 10am-8pm, Tsutaya Bookstore 10am-8pm, 11F Starbucks 10am-10-m, 12&13F restaurants 11am-10pm
Tokyu Plaza (Shibuya/Harajuku)
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 2F-5F 11am-7pm, 6&7F 11am-8pm *Predicted to be extremely busy and customer entry will be limited
Jan 3: 2F-5F 11am-8pm, 6&8F 11am-9pm *Predicted to be extremely busy and customer entry will be limited
Shibuya Parco
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Shops open 10am-9pm, Food & Drink open 11am-11pm * expected to be extremely busy and may open even 30 minutes early if there is a crowd outside.
Jan 3: Business as usual
Shibuya 109
Jan 1-3: unsure….
Laforet, Harajuku
Jan 1: 11am-6pm
Jan 2&3: 11am-8pm
Matsuzakaya Ueno Store
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2 & 3: 10am-8pm * expected to be extremely busy and may open even 30 minutes early if there is a crowd outside.
Parcoya Ueno
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 1F-5F 10am-8pm, 6F restaurants open 11am-9pm * expected to be extremely busy and may open even 30 minutes early if there is a crowd outside.
Jan 3: Business as usual
Matsuya Asakusa
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual
Ueno Marui
Jan 1-3: Completely closed
Shinjuku Isetan
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-7:30pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Odakyu Shinjuku
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2- Jan 8: 10am-8pm
Marui Shinjuku
Jan 1-3: Completely closed
Takashimaya Shinjuku
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:30am-6:30pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Lumine Shinjuku
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Shops open 10:30am-8:30pm & restaurants open 11am-10pm
Jan 3: Shops open 10:30am-8:30pm & restaurants open 11am-10pm
If you are staying with Japanese friends, embrace all things traditional
Also, if you are extra prepared or are staying with Japanese friends you would have organized Osechi-Ryori traditional Japanese food that is designed to last without refrigeration for several days.
It’s as special to Japanese people as Christmas dinner is to many people from Western cultures.
Visit a shrine
A shrine is the best option (it will be busy – but in the best way!) There will be so many people in full kimono attire and extra food stalls. It is just a lovely vibe at that time of year.
Meiji Shrine is located on the edge of Yoyogi Park and the walk into the shrine is just as spectacular as the shrine itself.
There are toilets in several locations on the path to the shrine. The shrine is free to enter. In January, the shrine opens at 6:40am and closes at 4:20pm.
It is a decent walk along the path so little, tired legs will definitely need a stroller.
1-1 KAMIZONO-CHO, YOYOGI
代々木神園町1-1
OPENING HOURS CHANGE MONTHLY (SEE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION)
WEBSITE
A lovely place for an early morning stroll is Nezu Shrine. A beautiful slice of history and beauty – a little minature Kyoto.
The little tunnel of red tori gates is my favourite part.
Admission is free.
On January 1st, the shrine is open all night from the night before and from 6am on the 2nd.
I’ve written more about Nezu Shrine with kids here.
1-28-9 NEZU, BUNKYO
文京区根津1-28-9
OPEN: 6AM-6PM (from 7AM on January 1st)
My next recommendation is Disneyland or Disneysea. The Tokyo Disney crowd prediction calendars suggest that it isn’t looking so busy (compared to the Tokyo norm) at the moment for the first few days of January.
*Note: There will be less showtimes and some parades over this New Year’s period.
I know it’s not for everyone but many people like to hike Mt Takao for sunrise on New Years Day
Hie Shrine is another great option.
It can be soooo busy but vibing.
Lots of street food, lots of people dressed in Kimono and others who are in jeans.
I love this shrine – and especially the Tori gate tunnel on the way out.
It’s 6 minutes in a cab from Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi ( or 20 minutes walk on foot . )
There are a lot of steep stairs ( although its not a hike or anything – still an inner city shrine) so, if you’re travelling with kids and a stroller , it could be a bit tricky.
There are restrooms in the main building and just outside the shrine grounds.
If you wanted to be up to date on the temple etiquette, their English page on the shrine website is pretty good.
HIE SHRINE
千代田区永田町2-10-5
2-10-5 NAGATACHO, CHIYODA-KU
WEBSITE ( THEIR ENGLISH PAGE OF THE WEBSITE IS PRETTY GOOD)
Another idea is to avoid any crowds at all and take the children to Arisugawa Park for a play and a bit of an explore about. It is stunning and completely different with every single season. It has a lovely children’s playground up the top of the hill and a Japanese garden with a large pond down the bottom. It’s perfect for turtle, duck and carp spotting! There is a public bathroom up the top near the playground equipment and another down near the pond.
The park is just 2 minutes walk from Hiroo Station.
5-7-29 MINAMIAZABU, MINATO
港区南麻布5-7-29
And after a Arisugawa Park play, you can go to Chibo Okonomiyaki in Hiroo (just a few mins walk away) as they are open on Jan 2 & 3. 11AM-11PM.
Random suggestion, but my favourite Indian restaurant in Hiroo is also open for dine in and takeout. The restaurant is called Priya and their website is here for orders and reservations.
Other options that are open:
Roppongi Hills ( Jan 1-3)
Roppongi Hills stores are open 11am-7pm for the new years sales.
Roppongi Hills restaurants are open 11am-9pm.
The French Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo still has reservations available for breakfast on Jan 2 & 3
Sunshine City Aquarium, Ikebukuro ( Jan 1-9 ) is open 10am – 6pm (Online reservation required.)
Hanayashiki Theme Park in Asakusa is open on Jan 1 from 1pm – 6pm, Jan 2 & Jan 3 from 10am-6pm
This kooky little theme park is loved by my kids so much. I’ve written about Hanayashiki Amusement Park here.
Team Lab Planets still has tickets for Jan 2 available in the evening & pretty much all afternoon and evening on Jan 3 !
Tokyo Dome City ( and the rides etc) are open from 10am-9pm Jan 1-3
Tokyo National Museum is closed on Jan 1 but open again from Jan 2
Kidzania is also open – reservations required
Miraikan: The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba is closed on Jan 1 but is open from Jan 2
The National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno is closed on Jan 1 but is open again on Jan 2
Sanrio Puro Land is open – reservations required. Limited tickets sold for these days.
Sumida Aquarium at Skytree is open 9am-9pm Jan 1-3. Reservation required.
Skytree itself is open but the shops and restaurants around it are not (except for the Sumida Aquarium)
Maxell Aqua Park Aquarium in Shinagawa is open 10am-8pm. Tickets must be purchased online at least one hour prior to entry.
Legoland at Decks in Odaiba is open 10am-6pm
Rainbow Karaoke in Shibuya ( I talk about this spot in my Shibuya with kids post) is open 11am-5am with slightly higher fees for the holidays.
Cup Noodles Musuem in Yokohama is closed Jan 1 & 2 but open on the 3rd
**Make use of your hotel reception desks over this period. They will know which restaurants in the area area open – and then can make reservations accordingly***
(remember that it’s not their fault if options are limited – this is the trickiest time of year to eat out.)
Family-friendly restaurants open over this period (kids welcome!)*ask your hotel to make a reservation
Royal Host restaurants all over Japan are open with limited hours on Jan 2 and back to normal hours by Jan 3 (google your closest option.)
GINZA
The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo Ginza (Pizza & Pasta) open for lunch everyday 11:30-3pm and open for dinner 5:30pm -10pm
Ginza Six department store is closed on Jan 1 but most restaurants open again on Jan 2.
Royal Host in Hatchobori is open for breakfast only on Jan 1 and pretty much business as usual from Jan 2
Bills Japan, Ginza is closed Jan 1 but open as normal from the 2nd
UENO
TGI Fridays Ueno Chuo-Dori 11am-11pm
Dipp Palace Okachimachi (Indian Food) open 11am-11pm
Toraji Yakiniku Ueno Branch (Yakiniku) open 11:30am-10pm
SHIBUYA
TGI Fridays Shibuya-Jinnan (Burgers, American food, Steak) Jan 1-3 open 11am-11pm
Shibuya Kotegaeshi (Okonomiyaki & Casual Teppanyaki) open Jan 1 midday -9pm, Jan 2 & 3 11am-10pm
SHINJUKU
Shinjuku Kotegaeshi (Okonomiyaki & Casual Teppanyaki) open Jan 1 midday -9pm, Jan 2 & 3 11am-10pm
Kyomachi Shizugu （Japanese izakaya）＊Budget around 34000 yen per adult for dinner Open from 3pm on Jan 1
HARAJUKU & OMOTESANDO
Harajuku Yakiniku Kintan (Yakiniku) open for lunch 11:30-3pm & dinner from 6pm.*Budget for lunch around 3000 yen per adult and 8000 yen for dinner
Bills Japan, Omotesando is closed Jan 1 but open as normal from the 2nd.
ODAIBA
Bills Japan, Odaiba is closed Jan 1 but open as normal from the 2nd
NEAR TOKYO DISNEY
TGI Fridays Ikspiari open Jan 1-3 11am-11pm
In fact, most of the restaurants within the Ikspiari Complex are business as usual.
FUJI Q
Fuji Q Highland is one of the other places in Japan that remains open for this New Years Period. In fact, they run many family-friendly events over the first few days of January so, as long as you have transportation options sorted for these days, it may be a good option for those who like the idea of record-breaking rollercoasters with a Mt Fuji backdrop.
If you’re looking for a restaurant, I recommend using the site Tablecheck and type in the area and it will show you what is available and at what time.
I also recommend using this time to make use of Tokyo Playgrounds. They are always open.
