List of Seasonal Events in Tokyo in January
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Tokyo is Japan’s most exciting city, where you can have a pleasant time whenever you visit. It offers a huge variety of things to do in the middle of winter. You can see gorgeous illuminations and ice skating rinks around the city in January.
Some people celebrate the New Year staying and relaxing at home with their family while others go to a shrine and temple during the first three days of the New Year. There are a large number of small and large shrines and temples perfect for New Year first visits around Tokyo.
Lots of department stores and other popular shops are close on New Year’s holidays, but some of them hold special sales offering Fukubukuro lucky bags from the beginning of the year.
Here is the list of best events held in Tokyo in January from hotel desert buffets and afternoon tea plans to various themed exhibitions.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
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 Tokyo, check out the following article!
2. Illuminations
A variety of colorful winter lights can be seen in various areas of Tokyo to match the cold weather that brings the city to life. Come and take a walk in the city of Tokyo and enjoy the beautiful and colorful illumination.
Genre: Illumination
Dates: During the winter
For more information about the Illumination event in Tokyo, check out the following article!
▶︎Tokyo Winter Illumination Guide 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 Ryogoku 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/
<< Book your Tokyo Disney Resort e-tickets here! >>
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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. Best Strawberry Buffets and Afternoon Teas in Tokyo
The strawberry is a well-known fruit in Japan, especially during winter and spring. Many hotels and restaurants offer luxury dessert buffets and afternoon teas of various strawberry desserts and some drinks.
Genre: Buffet and Afternoon Tea
Dates: During Winter and Spring
For more information about the strawberry afternoon teas and buffets in Tokyo, Check out the following articles.
▶︎ Best Strawberry Buffets in Tokyo 2025
6. Oden and Local Sake Festival 2025
Is a food festival where the main dishes are the local food in Japan, Oden, and Sake. Other foods can be tasted here such as grilled foods and many more.
Genre: Festival
Location: Ueno Park Fountain Square
Dates: January 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2025
Website: https://oden-jizakefes.com/#
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10 minutes walk from Ueno Station. |
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7. Tokyo Ukiyoe Immersive Art
The Ukiyoe Immersive Art is a unique exhibition using advanced technology by famous Ukiyo-e artists such as Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, and Kitagawa Utamaro showcasing 300 masterpieces a lively digital art exhibition of the Edo period.
Genre: Exhibition
Location: Terada Warehouse G1 Building
Dates: December 21, 2024 to March 31, 2025
Website: https://www.ukiyoeimmersiveart.com/
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5 minutes walk from Tennozu Isle Station via Tokyo Monorail. |
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8. My Hero Academia x Tokyo Skytree (Float, Hero Exercise in the Sky)
This is a collaboration event with the popular Japanese anime My Hero Academia and Tokyo Skytree. It features fun activities inspired by the characters, such as Greetings, photo services, exclusive merchandise, and a cafe. The area is surrounded by decorations, lighting, and displays of the characters.
Genre: Collaboration
Location: Tokyo Skytree, Tembo Deck, Tembo Galleria
Dates: January 8 to April 8, 2025
Website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/event/special/heroaca/
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5 minutes walk from Oshiage Station. |
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9. Daikoku Matsuri 2025
The Daikoku matsuri is an annual festival that celebrates the god of fortune held every mid-January. It is believed to bring good luck which is visited and attended by many Japanese people.
Genre: Japanese Festival
Location: Kanda Myojin Shrine
Dates: January 17 and 19, 2025
Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/
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6 minutes walk from Ochanomizu Station. |
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10. Winter Festival Local Sake and Dishes 2025
Is a food and sake festival where you can taste different types of local Japanese sake and gourmets. There are other activities to enjoy such as performances and vendors.
Genre: Festival
Location: Yoyogi Park
Dates: January 24 to 26, 2025
Website: https://fuyumatsuri-japan.com/
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5 minutes walk from Tennozu Isle Station via Tokyo Monorail |
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11. TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN ICE SKATING PARK
One of the popular activities this winter in Tokyo that starts this January is Ice Skating and Tokyo Skytree is one of the places in Tokyo that offers this activity.
Genre: Sports
Location: Tokyo Skytree Town 4th Floor Sky Arena
Dates: January 4 to February 28, 2025
Website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/
For more information about the Ice Skating Spot in Tokyo, check out the following article!
▶︎5 Best Ice Skating Spots in Tokyo 2024-2025
In addition to those seasonal events, there are more things to do in Tokyo in January. Check more details in these articles below.
▶Tokyo in January: Best Things to Do
▶Best Things to Do in Tokyo in Winter
Also, be sure to check other things to do in Tokyo in 2024 from the following article!
▶Best Things to Do in Tokyo 2024
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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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