Exciting things to do on New Year’s Day 2026 in Tokyo – January 1-5

The 1.2-kilometre-long Marunouchi Naka-dori street, always one of the most popular Tokyo illumination spots, will have around 250 trees lit up with about 775,000 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 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.

Closer to Christmas, Gyoko-dori between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station will have more illuminations between November 28 and December 25, bringing the total to around 810,000 LEDs.

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 helmet rental, but skate rentals are an additional ¥500. 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 the Tokyo amusement park Yomiuri Land, the Hana Biyori garden is illuminated with a spectacular display that runs year-round. Follow the path lined with 500-odd 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, expect to see a new striking display of snowflake-shaped bamboo wreaths, along with the kiri-e (paper cutout) lanterns introduced last year, which are placed around the garden’s east waterfall.

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

Check the event website for the latest operating schedule before visiting.

Located at the Red Brick Warehouse’s event plaza, this popular and spacious ice skating rink is back for its 21st edition this year. The theme this season is called ‘Left Turn’, with the area designed by illustrator Haruyo Higashi, who has created manga-like illustrations of everyday moments. Admire the continuous artwork as you circle the rink.

A ticket to the rink including skates is ¥2,000 (high school students and children aged 3 and older ¥1,200; Jan 5 onwards ¥1,700 for adults). Make sure to drop by the adjoining Christmas market for some mulled wine and typical German winter food.

Opening hours: November and December: 1pm to 9pm on weekdays; 11am to 9pm on weekends and 11am to 10pm between Dec 20-25; 11am-8pm between Dec 26-30; 11am-7pm on Dec 31.

January: 11am to 7pm on Jan 1-2

Rest of January and February: 1pm to 7pm on weekdays; 11am to 8pm on weekends and holidays.

The annual Shinjuku Minamillumi light-up is back this winter, happening from November 12 to February 15. 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 gold 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, which recently announced its bittersweet retirement.

Trees along the 46-metre-long promenade at Southern Terrace are also decorated with golden lights, and the plaza near Shake Shack even features a massive 3D illumination of Champagne glasses to mark the festive spirit. Venture further and you’ll come across a glistening green Christmas tree (until December 25) set up on the second floor of Takashimaya Times Square, plus even more lights that illuminate the entire terrace.

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 Tamagotchi – Japan's beloved digital pets from outer space. Expect to see Mametchi, along with his sidekick Kuchipatchi and other pocketable pets such as Memechi.

You can hop on the park’s Mametchi and Kuchipatchi themed 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 the whole Tamagotchi family. Keep wandering and you might stumble upon a mysterious UFO beaming with colour – maybe a hint at where these pocketable pets really came from. To wrap up the night, take in the dazzling lights and sweeping mountaintop views from the Ferris wheel or hop on the Tamagotchi Starry Sky Pedal for stunning panoramas and a light leg workout.

While you’re there, indulge in Tamagotchi-themed meals and snacks. Enjoy a hearty Tamagotchi Poka Poka Star Ramen or the voluminous Mametchi's Omurice Curry Doria Plate. Prefer something sweet? Then check out Furawatchi's flower crepe or the Memechi mango sundae.

A spectacular journey through the mysteries of an ancient civilisation arrives in Tokyo this autumn with ‘Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru’, held from November 22 2025 to March 1 2026 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery. Making its highly anticipated Asian debut, the exhibition has already captivated over 540,000 visitors across four cities worldwide since its 2021 premiere at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Florida.

Endorsed by the Peruvian government, the exhibition features approximately 130 artefacts on loan from Lima’s renowned Larco Museum, many of which are being displayed in Japan for the first time. Highlights include opulent gold adornments unearthed from royal tombs and sacred ritual items used in ancient temples, offering an intimate look at the artistry and spiritual life of the Andean civilisations.

Visitors can also experience an immersive recreation of Machu Picchu, the iconic city in the clouds, realised with cutting-edge digital technology. The exhibition’s narrative centres on the mythic hero Aiapæc, inviting audiences on an intellectual and emotional adventure through history, legend and archaeological wonder.