Japan’s New Year holiday (Dec 31–Jan 3) is one of the biggest annual holidays.
Many stores close, hours change, and attractions get extremely crowded.
This guide summarizes what’s open, what’s closed, and what to expect in Japan during New Year 2026 — category by category.
Quick Summary Table
| Category | Dec 31 | Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department Stores | Shortened | Mostly closed | Mostly closed | Crowded |
| Shopping Malls | Shortened | Many closed | Open | Hours depend on location |
| Restaurants | Varies | Many closed | Varies | Tourist areas stay open |
| Convenience Stores | Open | Open | Open | Crowded in tourist spots |
| Drugstores | Varies | Varies | Open | Donki = usually open |
| Cafés | Shortened | Some open | Open | Starbucks often open |
| Shrines/Temples | Open | Open 24h | Open | Extremely crowded |
| Theme Parks | Open | Open | Open | Very crowded |
| Transportation | Normal | Normal | Normal | Shinkansen fully booked |
| Banks | Closed | Closed | Closed | ATMs available |
| Post Offices | Closed | Closed | Closed | No mailing/shipping |
| Currency Exchange | Airport open | Airport open | Airport open | City shops mostly closed |
Category-by-Category Guide
Department Stores (Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru, Hankyu, Hanshin etc.)
Typical New Year Schedule based on major stores across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe:
| Date | Most Department Stores |
|---|---|
| Dec 31 | Early close (around 5–6 pm) |
| Jan 1 | Closed |
| Jan 2 | Closed (some stores are open) |
| Jan 3 | Reopen, often early close (around 7 pm) New Year Sales |
| Jan 4 | Regular hours |
Early Opening for New Year Sales (“Hatsu-uri”)
On the day they reopen (Jan 2 or Jan 3), many stores:
- Open 30 minutes to 1 hour earlier than usual
- Host major New Year sales
- Sell limited-edition fukubukuro (lucky bags)
- Attract very long lines—hundreds of people waiting before opening
Shopping Malls (AEON Mall, LaLaport, KITTE, etc.)
- Dec 31: Shortened hours
- Jan 1:
AEON Mall → mixed (some open, some closed)
KITTE → closed
LaLapport → mostly open (shortened) - Jan 2: New Year events & promotions
Hours vary widely → check the mall’s official site.
Restaurants
- Family restaurants: Some open, many closed Jan 1
- Local restaurants: Often closed Dec 31–Jan 2
- Tourist areas (Asakusa, Kyoto, Namba): More restaurants remain open, but with long lines
- Make reservations if possible.
Cafés (Starbucks, Doutor, Tully’s)
- Starbucks → many locations open with reduced hours
- Doutor / Tully’s → mostly closed on Jan 1
- Airport branches → open normally
Convenience Stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson)
- The majority remain open 24/7
- Rural locations may shorten hours
- Expect crowded shelves & limited bento availability.
Drugstores (Matsukiyo, Don Quijote)
- Don Quijote: Usually open
- Matsukiyo:
City center → often open
Suburban → commonly closed Jan 1
Shrines & Temples
Examples: Meiji Jingu, Sensoji, Fushimi Inari
- Open all night from Dec 31
- Jan 1–3: Extremely crowded
- Major cities may offer overnight trains
About Hatsumōde (初詣)
Hatsumōde (pronounced haht-soo-MOH-day) is the Japanese tradition of visiting a shrine or temple for the first time in the New Year. Many people go right after midnight on January 1 or sometime during the first three days of the year.
Tourist Attractions (Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, Umeda Sky Building)
- Tokyo Tower
No countdown event on December 31, 2025
New Year’s Day early-morning entry – Special pre-booked, limited-capacity - Tokyo Skytree hosts multiple New Year events from Jan 1–3, 2026, including:
Special national-flag lighting at the turn of the year
Lion dance performances (Shishimai) inside the tower
Sumo wrestler meet-and-greet & photo event - Umeda Sky Building
Stays open during New Year 2026
Observation deck → regular hours (no year-end closure)
Gallery shop & café → open as usual
Restaurants & Takimi-koji → open but holiday hours may vary
Theme Parks (Disneyland, DisneySea, USJ)
- Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea
Mickey Mouse and Disney characters appear in traditional Japanese kimono-style costumes to greet guests
Extremely crowded Jan 1–3
Hotels (both Disney hotels and nearby official hotels) may be fully booked
No countdown event - Universal Studios Japan
USJ’s “NO LIMIT! Countdown 2026” requires a special Party Pass.
The park operates for 26 hours from Dec 31 19:00 to Jan 1 21:00.
Regular Studio Pass is valid only until 17:00 on Dec 31 and again from 2:00 AM on Jan 1.
Expect very heavy crowds and book hotels early.
Airports (Haneda, Narita, Kansai)
- Open every day (airports do not close during New Year)
- Shops operate with limited hours — many close earlier than usual
- SIM / mobile counters may close early or close entirely on Jan 1
- Restaurants remain open but often with reduced menus or limited availability
- Airport transportation (buses, trains, taxis) can run on holiday schedules
Important for International Travelers
Late December to early January is one of the busiest travel periods in Japan
Many people return home for the holidays, which causes:
Heavy road congestion on routes to the airport
Crowded trains and airport buses
Long lines at check-in counters, security, and immigration
Arrive at the airport much earlier than usual!
Currency Exchange (Important!)
Airport exchange counters:
Airports do not publish special “New Year hours” for currency exchange.
Instead, they follow normal business hours, with the following cautions:
- Some counters shorten hours or close for short periods
- Automated machines may be temporarily unavailable
- Late-night/early-morning travelers should not assume full availability
Do not rely on currency exchange at the airport if you are arriving late at night, early in the morning, or during the New Year holiday period.
City Currency Exchange Offices (Downtown Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc.)
Most city-based currency exchange shops operate year-round except during the New Year holidays, but the exact dates vary by store.
- Many shops close from Dec 29 to Jan 3, or
- From Dec 30 to Jan 4
- Jan 1 is almost always closed
- Dec 31 and Jan 2 often operate on shortened hours
Transportation
Shinkansen (Bullet Trains)
- Nozomi: All Reserved Seats
From Dec 26, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026, all Nozomi trains on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen will operate as fully reserved (no non-reserved cars). - Peak Crowds
Dec 27–30: Extremely busy leaving Tokyo/Osaka
Jan 2–4: Extremely busy returning to cities - Reservations
Book seats as early as possible
Oversized-luggage seats fill quickly - Stations
Major stations (Tokyo, Shinagawa, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka) can be very crowded
Coin lockers around Shinkansen areas often full
Trains in Major Cities (JR & Metro)
- JR East (Tokyo): Overnight service (Dec 31 → Jan 1) available
- Tokyo Metro: No overnight service on Dec 31–Jan 1 / Holiday timetable from Dec 30–Jan 3
- Kansai & Nagoya: Holiday schedules, fewer trains
- Shrines near stations = heavy crowding early on Jan 1
Airport Transportation
- Narita Express (N’EX): May reduce frequency on Jan 1–2
- Keisei Skyliner: Normal service with possible minor adjustments
- Haneda Access (Tokyo Monorail / Keikyu): Generally normal
- Kansai Airport: Nankai/JR operate mostly normal
Banks & ATMs
Bank Branch Counters
- Closed from December 31 to January 3
- Reopen on January 4
- This is true for nearly all major banks (SMBC, MUFG, Mizuho, regional banks)
ATMs
ATM hours vary by branch and machine, but there is a general pattern:
December 31 → Treated as “Saturday hours”
- Many ATMs operate, but
- Shorter hours compared to weekdays
- Some locations may close earlier in the evening
January 1–3 → Treated as “Holiday hours”
- Some ATMs may have reduced operating hours
- ATMs inside bank branches may not be accessible (building closed)
- ATMs inside shopping malls depend on the mall’s holiday schedule
- International card support (Plus, Cirrus) may be limited depending on the machine
In Japan, many ATMs do not operate 24 hours.
During New Year holidays, banks perform system maintenance and close their buildings, which results in shorter ATM hours or temporary outages.
Convenience-store ATMs are the most reliable option for travelers during Dec 31–Jan 3.
Post Offices
- Closed from Dec 31 to Jan 4
- Japan Post Bank ATMs remain available but operate on holiday hours with reduced functions.
Luggage Storage (Coin Lockers & Services)
- Coin lockers → full quickly
- Large lockers limited
- ecbo cloak → fewer locations open during New Year → book ahead
Travel Tips for New Year 2026
- Stock up on snacks and essentials before Dec 31
- Visit shrines early morning or late evening to avoid extreme crowds
- Theme park tickets: book early
- Reserve restaurants ahead, especially in Kyoto & Tokyo
- Expect long lines everywhere on Jan 1–2
Japan’s New Year is a unique cultural moment — peaceful yet extremely crowded in certain places.
With the right preparation, you can enjoy smooth travel and experience traditional festivities like Hatsumōde.