What Does New Year’s Eve Look Like in Japan?

Описание: 00:00 - 00:40 - Introduction
00:40 - 1:20 - Traditions
1:20 - 2:09 - Kawagoe Sights
2:09 - 2:28 - The 108 Bells
2:28 - 4:40 - NYE at Shinto Shrine
4:40 - 5:36 - Jan 1st Traditions
5:36 - Happy New Year!!!


Ever wondered what New Year’s Eve in Japan is actually like? In this vlog, we experience classic Japanese New Year traditions on Ōmisoka (December 31)—from visiting a Buddhist temple and learning about joya no kane (the 108 bell rings) to welcoming midnight at a Shinto shrine for hatsumode (the first shrine/temple visit of the year).

We also found fish-shaped omikuji fortunes, had some homemade mochi, watched a dramatic lion dance (shishi-mai) with live musicians, and woke up early for hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the year—a peaceful way to start 2026.

This was filmed near Tokyo in Kawagoe (Saitama), but these Japan New Year’s traditions look like this all over the country: the atmosphere, the rituals, and the festival vibes that surprise a lot of first-time visitors.

✅ Traditions featured:
• Ōmisoka (New Year’s Eve in Japan)
• Joya no Kane (108 bell rings)
• Hatsumode (first shrine/temple visit)
• Omikuji (fortunes)
• Shishi-mai (lion dance)
• Hatsuhinode (first sunrise)

#JapanNewYear #JapaneseNewYear #Omisoka #Hatsumode #JoyaNoKane #108Bells #Omikuji #ShishiMai #Hatsuhinode #JapanTravel #JapanVlog #TokyoTrip #WinterInJapan #Kawagoe