Exciting things to do on New Year’s Day 2025 in Tokyo – January 1-5

An embodiment of modern Japanese pop culture meets the traditional crafts in this unabashedly fun exhibition. In roughly 80 works, all created for this event, of 20 artisans imagine what might result from an encounter between the creatures of the Pokémon universe, and the time-honoured craft that they have chosen to master. Following a highly popular run at the National Crafts Museum in Ishikawa, and a tour of the USA, the exhibition finally arrives in Tokyo, with a few bonus works courtesy of Azabudai Hills Gallery.

Standout creations include a sculpture of Jolteon, a quadrupedal with spiny yellow fur, stunningly rendered in copper plated with gold and silver by Taiichiro Yoshida. Large, amphibian-like Pokémon Venusaur, meanwhile, is given form as a painted ceramic by Sadamasa Imai. A whole host of limited-edition merchandise based on the exhibits will be on sale for collectors and souvenir-hunters alike.

The exhibition is closed on December 31.

The 1.2-kilometre-long Marunouchi Naka-dori street, always one of the most popular Tokyo illumination spots, will have around 280 trees lit up with about 820 thousand low-energy, champagne-coloured LEDs this year, making for an environmentally friendly and stylish display.

If you’d rather stay cosy while admiring the lights, visit the newly renovated Marunouchi House, where the seventh-floor terrace will feature festive illuminations for a limited time. The terrace has plenty of seats surrounded by outdoor heaters.

This large ice skating rink in Tokyo Midtown’s garden area is surrounded by greenery, but if you go skating in the evening, you'll also get the added scenery of pretty illuminations and a view of the lit-up Tokyo Tower. Wearing gloves is mandatory, so if you want to avoid paying extra for a pair (¥300) sold on site, make sure to bring your own.

The admission ticket includes skate rental, plus a free helmet rental this year. The ice rink will close if temperatures are too warm, so make sure to check the website before heading over.

The ice rink is open daily from 11am-9pm, and the last entry is 8pm (closed on Jan 1).

Located next to Tokyo amusement park Yomiuri Land, the Hana Biyori garden is lighting up with a spectacular illumination display until April 6 2025. Follow the path lined with 500 takeakari bamboo lanterns and takemari (ball-like ornaments made from bamboo) and you’ll come to a historical gate that was transplanted from the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Once inside, you’ll find a wall of illuminated Japanese umbrellas that look like colourful lanterns, leading you further into the garden. Awaiting here are more takeakari and takemari, in addition to a glowing chozuya (basin with purified water) decked out with flowers.

A new addition this year are the kiri-e (paper cutout) lanterns, which are placed around the garden’s east waterfall, as well as an illuminated bamboo wall featuring cutout images of flowers, wind and water.

To complement your experience, you can rent a Japanese umbrella and lantern to walk around and take photos for just ¥200.

Located at the Red Brick Warehouse’s event plaza, this popular and spacious ice skating rink is back for its 20th edition this year. The theme this season is called ‘Born from Conversations’, with the area designed by graphic designer Ikki Kobayashi, who has created minimalistic yet colourful art made by rhythmically arranging paper cut-outs of various colours and shapes.

A ticket to the rink including skates is ¥1,500 (high school students and children aged 3 and older ¥1,000). Make sure to drop by the adjoining Christmas market for some mulled wine and typical German winter food.

January opening hours: 11am to 7pm on Jan 1; until 8pm on Jan 2-3.

Rest of January and February: 1pm to 8pm on weekdays; 11am to 8pm on weekends and holidays.

The annual Shinjuku Minamillumi light-up is back this year for the 10th time, happening from November 15 to February 14. Six venues in the area will be participating in this illumination special, namely the JR Minami Shinjuku Building, JR Shinjuku Miraina Tower, Suica Penguin Plaza, Takashimaya Times Square, Shinjuku Maynds Tower, and Shinjuku Southern Terrace.

Suica Penguin Plaza, located in front of Shinjuku Station’s New South exit between the promenade and Takashimaya Times Square, is bathed in crystal blue lights. The plaza features an illuminated ‘welcome gate’, complete with two adorable penguin statues. You may recognise the penguin character from JR East’s Suica IC cards. 

Trees along the 46-metre-long promenade at Southern Terrace are also decorated with golden lights, and the path is even equipped with motion sensors that activate a special light show.

The illuminations take place daily from 5pm to 12midnight until the end of November, and from 4.30pm between December and February.

Sagamiko Resort Mori Mori has gone all out for its winter illuminations, featuring over six million dazzling LEDs. This year, there's an entire area dedicated to Japan's beloved laid-back bear, Rilakkuma, along with his sidekick Korilakkuma and other San-X friends like Sumikkogurashi.

You can hop on the park’s Rainbow Chairlift and sail over colourful stripes before reaching the top of a hill, where you'll find a series of illumination art walls showcasing Rilakkuma and his friends. Walk further in to discover a massive Tarepanda inflatable and a bear-shaped igloo with Sumikkogurashi characters glowing in colourful lights.

Be sure to catch the spectacular illumination show at the San-X character stage, where Korilakkuma, Afro-dog and Ebifurai No Shippo perform live with synchronised laser lights for four minutes each. Nearby, a massive Rilakkuma is perched a set of swings, providing the perfect setup for a special photo.

While you’re there, indulge in Rilakkuma and Sumikkogurashi-themed meals and snacks. Enjoy a hearty Sumikkogurashi Bon Pasta or the Meat Doria Plate with San-X characters. Prefer something sweet? Then check out the colorful popcorn sundae or the Rilakkuma pudding in a cup.