New Year in Japan (Oshogatsu): What's Open and What to Expect

What actually changes in Japan during New Year?#

New Year, called Oshogatsu, is the most important holiday in Japan. The core days run roughly from December 31 to January 3, when many people return to their hometowns to spend time with family. Unlike Christmas, which is a light, decorative event in Japan, New Year is a quiet, family-centred holiday, closer to how many countries treat Christmas Day.

For a traveller, this means two big shifts happen at the same time. Many everyday businesses close for a few days, while shrines, temples, and transport become extremely crowded. Knowing which is which lets you plan around it instead of being caught out.

What to expect	Detail (as of July 2026)
Peak dates	Around Dec 31 – Jan 3
Mood	Quiet, family-focused; not a party holiday
Open	Convenience stores, many malls, shrines, temples, some big chains
Often closed	Small restaurants, local shops, banks, post offices, some museums
Crowds	Very high at shrines and on long-distance transport
Back to normal	Roughly from January 4 onward

What is open and what is closed, day by day?#

Opening hours around New Year change every year and differ from place to place, so always check the official website for anywhere you rely on. As a general guide, this is the usual pattern:

Place	Dec 31	Jan 1	Jan 2	Jan 3
Convenience stores (konbini)	Open	Open	Open	Open
Supermarkets	Open (may close early)	Often closed	Many reopen	Open
Small local restaurants	Many closed	Closed	Some reopen	Some reopen
Big chain restaurants	Often open	Some open	Open	Open
Department stores / malls	Open (early close)	Often closed	Reopen with sales	Open
Shrines & temples	Open (busy at night)	Very busy	Busy	Busy
Museums / gardens	Some closed	Mostly closed	Some reopen	Reopen
Banks / ATMs	Banks close early	Banks closed (ATMs work)	Banks closed	Banks closed
Post offices	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed

The single most reliable option is the convenience store. Konbini stay open through the holiday and sell hot food, drinks, and daily basics, so you will not go hungry even when restaurants are shut. Many large shopping malls and department stores reopen on January 2 with big New Year sales, which is when the famous lucky bags go on sale.

If you need cash, withdraw it before December 31. Bank branches close for several days, though ATMs inside convenience stores generally keep working. Post offices are closed across the holiday, so post anything you need to send beforehand.

How crowded is transport, and when are the worst days?#

Two waves of crowding hit the transport network around New Year. Both are predictable, so you can plan around them.

• The return-home rush happens as people travel to their hometowns and back. Long-distance trains, highway buses, and domestic flights are busiest around December 28–30 on the way out and January 3–4 on the way back.
• The first-shrine-visit rush happens on New Year’s Eve night and the first few days of January, as huge numbers of people head to famous shrines and temples.

If you are travelling	Advice
Long-distance (bullet train, flight, bus)	Book reserved seats well in advance; the busiest days sell out early
Around Dec 29–30 or Jan 3–4	Expect full trains and higher fares; travel earlier or later if you can
Local trains and subways	Keep running; some lines add all-night service on New Year’s Eve
Visiting a major shrine	Go early morning or late at night to avoid the thickest crowds

Local city trains, subways, and buses run throughout the holiday, but daytime timetables may switch to a less frequent weekend or holiday schedule. Check the operator’s site for the exact days. If your trip includes a long-distance leg, treat reservations as essential rather than optional over this period.

Which New Year traditions can I join as a visitor?#

The best part of visiting at New Year is that the main traditions are open to everyone. You do not need to be invited or belong to any group.

Tradition	What it is	How to take part
Hatsumode	The first shrine or temple visit of the year	Go to any shrine or temple; make a wish and, if you like, draw a paper fortune
Joya no Kane	Temple bells rung 108 times on New Year’s Eve	Visit a temple late on Dec 31 to hear or take part in the ringing
Fukubukuro	Sealed “lucky bags” of surprise goods at a discount	Buy from shops and malls, usually from Jan 1 or 2
New Year food	Special dishes like osechi and toshikoshi soba	Try soba noodles on New Year’s Eve; look for seasonal menus
Otoshidama displays	Festive New Year decorations and atmosphere	Simply enjoy the streets and shrine approaches

Hatsumode is the easiest to join. Simply visit a shrine or temple in the first days of the year. Famous sites draw enormous crowds, so if you prefer a calmer experience, choose a smaller neighbourhood shrine. Basic etiquette applies: bow, keep to the paths, and be patient in line.

On New Year’s Eve, many temples ring their bell 108 times in a ritual called Joya no Kane, said to clear away worldly desires. Standing in the cold to hear it at midnight is a memorable, peaceful way to see in the year. Dress warmly, as waits and queues can be long in winter temperatures.

How should I plan a trip that lands on New Year?#

A little preparation turns the closures and crowds from a problem into part of the experience.

Plan ahead	Why it helps
Book long-distance transport early	The busiest days sell out well in advance
Withdraw cash before Dec 31	Banks close; rely on konbini ATMs for backup
Check opening hours for key places	Hours change yearly and many small shops close
Keep konbini in mind for food	They stay open when restaurants are shut
Plan a hatsumode visit	The signature experience of the season
Dress warmly for the outdoors	Shrine queues and bell ceremonies mean cold waits

The days from around January 4 onward return closer to normal, with shops, restaurants, and offices reopening. If your schedule is flexible, spending the core holiday enjoying shrines and traditions, then shifting to sightseeing and shopping from the 4th, gives you the best of both.

Quick reference: New Year in Japan#

Topic	Detail (as of July 2026)
Holiday name	Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year)
Core dates	About Dec 31 – Jan 3
Always open	Convenience stores (konbini)
Often closed	Small restaurants, banks, post offices, some museums
Busiest transport days	Around Dec 29–30 and Jan 3–4
Must-do experience	Hatsumode (first shrine visit)
Cash tip	Withdraw before Dec 31; use konbini ATMs after
Back to normal	Roughly from January 4

Opening hours, transport timetables, and event dates change every year. Always check the official website of any shrine, attraction, or transport operator you plan to use, and confirm current information before you travel.