Tokyo New Years Eve: A Summary

People travelling to Tokyo are often put off coming at New Years, as many travel guides highlight that during the new year Tokyo locals travel back to their home towns, and much of the city is closed. I on the other hand think new years is a wonderful time to spend in Tokyo. It is true that parts of the city shut down, but not only are the street's easier to navigate with less people; in a city that never sleeps you are sure to find many shops and restaurants open for business. Below is a quick rundown on how you can spend your new years eve in Tokyo:

1) Book a restaurant and enjoy Nomihoudo (All you can drink)
We chose Gonapchi in Shibuya, a Tokyo favourite, and had a delcious set-menu accompanied by a beautiful view.

Grilled Gindaya from Gonpachi

2) Bullrush in Shibuya
Countdowns happen in various parts of the city, but at the famous intersection in Shibuya madness ensues as hundreds of people run in to the crossing, yelling and wishing each other happy new year. In true Japanese style, when the flashing man turns red everyone politely return to the side of the road, to madly rush in again once the cars have passed and pedestrian's can cross.

3) All night, all you can drink Karaoke
It's new years, it's Tokyo, Karaoke is the simple answer! And after all you can drink, no one cares how tone deaf you are.

4) Visit a temple
At the beginning of the new year Japanese people visit the temple to pray for a successful coming year. Not only are the shrines beautiful, the festival food stores sell treats such as yakisoba and takoyaki straight off the bbq.

Write your wish for the new year and hang it at a temple

Finally, if you are in Tokyo from the 2nd of January you catch the sales which are a site on their own!