List of Seasonal Events in Japan in January
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January is one of the busiest months in Japan, which accepts lots of tourists from overseas. On New Year’s holidays, they visit the country to experience traditional Japanese culture, enjoy winter sports with snow, taste seasonal dishes, and so on.
Many people greet the new year with their families and friends in their hometowns while some people enjoy exciting countdown parties from New Year’s Eve. Visiting a shrine or temple, which is known as Hatsumode, is a Japanese custom to make wishes for the coming year. Most stores and restaurants are closed on New Year’s holidays, especially on January 1, but some of them start offering special sales just after that. On the second Monday in January, which is known as Seijin no Hi, those who have reached or will turn 20 this year celebrate their coming of age.
There are a variety of events held in Japan in January, which you should join since you come to Japan in this season. Check out the list of 10 notable events in Japan in January!
1. Hatsumode (New Year’s visit to a shrine or temple)
The New Year’s Day visit or Hatsumode in Japanese is a local Japanese tradition to visit shrines or temples to ask for good luck throughout the year.
Genre: Shrine/Temple
Dates: Many people visit shrines and temples on the first three days of the New Year
For more information about Hatsumode in Japan, check out the following article!
2. Winter Illumination and Festival
During the holidays and winter, colorful light-ups and illumination events occur all over Japan. On the streets, amusement parks, and attractions various illumination displays and decorations glow like a magical place.
Genre: Illumination
Location: Various Place across Japan
Dates: During Winter
For more information about illumination events in Japan, check the following article!
▶︎Best Winter Illuminations in Japan: Japan Illumination Map 2024-2025
▶︎10 Best Places to Visit in Japan in Winter 2024-2025
3. Tokyo Grand SUMO Tournament
Sumo (相撲) was originated in Japan; it’s a Japanese style of wrestling and considered Japan’s National Sport. Japan is the only country where it is practiced professionally and even at present, the Sumo sport has ritual elements included such as the use of salt purification from Shinto.
Genre: Tournament
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Dates: January 12 to 26, 2025
Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp//En/
<< Book Online: Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament Tour >>
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1 minute walk from Ryogaku Station. |
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4. New Year’s at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea (Chiba)
New Year’s in Disney is an annual event at Tokyo Disney Resort in celebration of the holiday season. Every year there are unique activities and events prepared by Disney friends and characters and colorful winter decorations around the theme parks that make the place shine even more.
Genre: Theme Park
Location: Tokyo Disney Resort
Dates: January 1 to 13, 2025
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/dream/event/newyear2024.html
<< Book your Tokyo Disney Resort e-tickets here! >>
| Access |
11 minutes walk from Maihama Station. |
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For more travel tips about Tokyo Disney Resort, Check out the following articles.
▶︎Tokyo Disneyland Guide: Best Things to Do
▶︎Tokyo DisneySea Guide: Best Things to Do
5. Silvery White Wonderland (Nagasaki)
Is a Winter illumination and event at Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki this 2024 with themed Silvery White Wonderland, featuring various activities to enjoy winter such as Canal Ice Skating, shows, garden lightning, and many more.
Genre: Winter Illumination /Festival
Location: Huis Ten Bosch (Nagasaki)
Dates: January 11 to February 27, 2025
Website: https://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/winter/
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12 minutes from Haiki Station via Omura Line to Huis Ten Bosch Station then about 7 minutes walk to the Amusement. |
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6. Kobe Luminarie 2025 (Kobe)
Kobe Luminarie is an illumination event in Kobe first time after four years, it symbolizes the hope of Kobe. Various light exhibitions can be seen in the area of Higashi-Yuenchi Park, the Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe, and Meriken Park.
Genre: Illumination/Festival
Location: Higashi-Yuenchi Park / Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe / Meriken Park
Dates: January 24 to February 2, 2025
Website: https://www.feel-kobe.jp/kobe_luminarie/
7. Yukitouro- Kayabuki no Sato Miyama (Kyoto)
The Yukitouro in Miyama Kayabuki no Sato is an event to experience the making of snow lanterns which is the main activity due to the thickness of the snow in the area every winter. Apart from this other activities can be enjoyed such as Japanese performances, lighting of private houses, mochi pounding experience, and special hot foods for winter.
Genre: Snow Lantern and Illumination
Location: Miyama’s Thatched Village
Dates: January 25 to February 1, 2025
Website: https://yukitouro.jp/
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2 Hours from Kyoto Station via San-In-Line (Rapid Sonobe) to Sonobe Station then JR Sonobe Station (local Toyo-Oka) to Hiyoshi Station. Then (Bus) Hiyoshi Station to Kita. |
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8. 81st Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival 2025 (Shizuoka)
The Atami Plum Garden in Shizuoka is known for having the earliest plum blossom in Japan with many plum trees of different varieties. And this 2024, the 80th plum festival will be held from January 11 to March 2, at the Atami Plum Garden.
Genre: Festival
Location: Atami Plum Garden
Dates: January 11 to March 2, 2025
Website: https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355
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13 minutes from Atami Station via (Ito Line) to Kinomiya Station then about 10 minutes walk to the garden. |
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9. Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination (Tochigi)
One of the most famous flower parks in Japan, the Ashigaya Flower Park in Tochigi will hold three large flower fantasy illuminations to bring joy to your holiday season. Which starts from October 18, 2024, to February 16, 2025. Come and enjoy the amazing flower illumination with your family and friends.
Genre: Illumination
Location: Tochigi, Ashikaga Flower Park
Dates: October 18, 2024 to February 16, 2025
Website: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/flowerfantasy_special2024/en/index.html
<< Book Online: Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination Day Tour with Strawberry Picking >>
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36 minutes from Oyama Station via (Ryomo Line) to Ashigaya Flower Park Station. |
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For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination 2024-2025
10. Nabana no Sato Illumination 2025 (Mie)
An illumination that will take your imagination to another fantasy place is the offering of Nabana no Sato at Nagashima Resort. There are different themed lights available in each area that are really amazing with their beauty and sparkles.
Genre: Illumination
Location: Nabana no Sato/ Nagashima Resort
Dates: October 19, 2024 to June 1, 2025
Website: https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/illumination/index.html
<< Book Online: Nagashima Mitsu Outlet & Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination Bus Tour >>
| Access |
10 minutes from Kintetsu-Nagashima Station via (Nagashima Nabana no Sato Line) to Nabana no Sato Station. |
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For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Nabana no Sato: Spectacular Winter Illumination 2024-2025
Addition: Most Popular activity/event in January
Getting Fukubukuro Lucky Bags
A fun activity and one of the customs of people in Japan every New Year is what they call ” Lucky Bag” where most of the department stores and other shops in Japan offer goods that are already wrapped and you never know what is inside the bag which gives excitement to the consumers.
Genre: Shopping
Location: Department stores and other brand shops
Date: From the beginning of January
In addition to those seasonal events, there are more things to do in Japan in January. Check more details in these articles below.
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Written by
Greetings to all mommies I am a supermom from Philippines. Previously, I worked and lived in Dubai for seven years, until 2015 the year I moved in Japan. Currently, I am happily settled here with my Japanese husband and our 7 months old baby. I could only describe my almost 6 years of living here as a roller coaster ride more so, after I gave birth to my son. Japan had changed me in ways unimaginable. It has influence my lifestyle, my perceptions and beliefs. I was able to witness firsthand the pros and cons of living in the country. From their language, culture and ethnicity, the people, place and in work. Those years were enough to give me quite personal and memorable experiences which I would be more than delighted to share with you.
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