New Year’s Eve in Japan

Anyone who has spent time in Japan on New Year’s Eve will likely say similar things. Japan has many traditions in its culture in general, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. It is common to serve Soba noodles over New Year’s Eve and the holidays, as well as to go to Temple.

Many would report that in Japan on New Year’s Eve, the focus for most is not to have New Year’s parties. New Year’s Eve in Japan is seen as a time to spend with family and also a time to go to Temple or a Shrine. For many, this is what they do, but there are New Year’s parties to be found on New Year’s Eve in Japan.

One way to get your family time and your New Year’s Eve party atmosphere at the same time, might be to go to Disneyland in Tokyo, Japan. This is the one night in the year that the park stays open all night long. This would be a New Year’s party on New Year’s Eve to remember. Japanese favorite foods are available all over the park, the rides are open and firework displays are planned to bring in the New Year.

In Japan, the first three days of the New Year are very big days to go to temple and this often begins with the first one at midnight on New Year’s Eve. One example is Meiji Jingu Shrine. It is here that people pray for all good things for the upcoming year. Some go out for dinner and then continue on to temple that evening with friends and family. This is not exactly a New Year’s party, but then again, the culture is not necessarily focusing especially on New Year’s parties.

If you are still in hunt for a New Year’s party on New Year’s Eve in Japan, a very popular place to go is the Tokyo Tower. It is here that they have a big countdown to the New Year Celebration and New Year’s party. The Tokyo Tower lights turn off and then light back up when it becomes the New Year. The New Year’s Eve night is still young and the New Year’s party can continue from there. There is a train nearby that stays open all night on New Year’s Eve. It is common to catch the train to Roppongi after the Tokyo Tower’s events and party at the local bars and restaurants there.

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