Travel Tips

Where to experience Tokyo’s New Year fireworks & countdowns in 2026

Planning to spend New Year in Tokyo? Discover where to find Tokyo’s New Year fireworks along with the best countdowns and cultural traditions across the city!

Tokyo’s New Year celebrations go well beyond fireworks. You’ll find tons of music countdowns, light shows, and temple ceremonies happening both on December 31st and January 1st.

In the past, one of Tokyo’s most popular New Year’s Eve celebrations was the countdown at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, but unfortunately, the event is cancelled for 2026.

But don’t worry. There’s a host of other Tokyo New Year fireworks, countdowns, and events going on. Here’s an overview of what you’ll find in 2026:

Odaiba Seaside Park: Over 1,300 fireworks will be released here during December 2026.
Zojoji Temple: At midnight on New Year’s Eve, there’s a traditional bell-ringing ceremony.
Shibuya Sky: The observation deck opens at 5:30 am on New Year’s Day for a special sunrise event with a magical Shinto ceremony.
Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea: The parks host New Year’s events from January 1st to 12th, featuring costumes, decorations, and fireworks.

In this article

Odaiba Seaside Park

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Hanging out at Odaiba Seaside Park is one of the most popular things to do in Tokyo on New Year’s Eve. The waterfront spot gives excellent visibility toward Rainbow Bridge & Tokyo Bay, where Tokyo’s New Year fireworks are typically released.

In addition to New Year’s Eve, the Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks event here features displays every Saturday evening in December. While the fireworks go off, the bridge lights up, and synchronized music plays.

Toyosu Market Area & Harumi Wharf

From the end of December to mid-January, Toyosu Market becomes a festive hub with special New Year’s products, festive Tokyo street food, and cultural activities.

Next to the market, Harumi Wharf gives a clear view of the skyline, Tokyo Bay, and Rainbow Bridge, making it an incredible place to watch Tokyo’s New Year fireworks. In fact, the spot is highly popular with photographers for the wide-angle shots it offers.

Zojoji Temple (Tokyo Tower area)

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If you want to experience a cultural New Year in Tokyo, head to Zojoji Temple. On December 31st, thousands of people gather here to witness the temple’s traditional bell ringing. At midnight, the bells ring 108 times to symbolise the release of earthly desires.

During the celebration, you can warm up by sipping amazake, a sweet fermented rice drink that has been part of Japanese New Year celebrations for centuries.

It’s also a fantastic spot to see the Tokyo Tower lit up, blending traditional and modern celebrations.

Roppongi Hills Observation Deck (Tokyo City View)

You’ll find some of the most breathtaking views of Tokyo during the New Year at Roppongi Hills.

While there is no specific New Year’s event, the observation deck (also known as Tokyo City View) offers a spectacular view of multiple districts at night.

Located on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower, it’s a warm and romantic NYE setting, perfect for couples. Plus, there are many restaurants in Roppongi Hills, so you can combine the observatory with a celebratory dinner!

Shibuya Sky

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The Shibuya Sky observation deck boasts one of the most magnificent views of the city skyline, and many people head here on the evening of December 31st to kickstart their NYE celebrations. However, you cannot watch the fireworks and light countdowns from here as Shibuya Sky closes at 9 pm.

But the observation deck offers a different, and ultra-unique New Year’s celebration. It opens at 5:30 am on New Year’s Day, allowing you to witness the first sunrise of 2026 at 229m above Shibuya.

First Sunrise at Shibuya Sky is a ticketed event featuring a Shinto ceremony, “New Year Prayer,” led by a Shinto priest from Konno Hachimangu Shrine. The prayer is an opportunity to wish for good health and good fortune for the coming year, allowing you to start the New Year in a peaceful, spiritual, and reflective way!

Yokohama Minato Mirai (near Tokyo)

Yokohama Minato Mirai is just 34km from the capital and is one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo. Yokohama’s New Year celebrations are HUGE, with a mix of fireworks (usually from Osanbashi Pier and Shinko Pier), midnight countdowns in Chinatown, and temple bell ringings.

Red Brick Warehouse is another popular spot to visit in Yokohama during the New Year. Here you’ll find a full festive atmosphere, with an Art Rink (ice skating with light shows) and Christmas market at a beautiful waterfront location, perfect for watching the fireworks and illuminated buildings.

Tokyo Disney Resorts

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While Disneyland and DisneySea do not stay open on New Year’s Eve, they host a New Year’s event from January 1st to 12th. The themed event blends the playfulness of Disney with Japan’s traditional customs, with Mickey Mouse and his friends dressed in traditional Japanese attire and offering photo opportunities with guests.

This year, the entrances to both parks will feature traditional New Year’s kadomatsu decorations, including a horse design to represent the Chinese Zodiac animal for 2026. You can also buy special New Year-themed Tokyo souvenirs.

Plus, both parks have fireworks every evening from December 26th to January 12th. So if you happen to miss New Year’s Eve in Tokyo, you can experience the festivities in January here!

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