New Year Events Guide
Various special events will be held at Hotel New Otani Tokyo between Dec 31 and Jan 3.
Stay at New Otani and experience a traditional Japanese New Year's celebration!
Entertainment
The New Otani Orchestra and Choir: New Year's Eve Opera Gala and Symphony No. 9 (Dec 31)
Hotel New Otani Tokyo brings together over 100 musicians to perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and opera classics. Come and spend a spectacular evening to wrap up the year 2025.
| Date & time: | 8:45pm-10:15pm, Dec 31 |
| Venue: | Tsuru room, Banquet Fl., The Main bldg |
Shishimai: Lion Dance (Jan 1)
Lion dance or "Shishimai" is a traditional dance mimicking a lion's movements.
The dance is often performed for celebrations and is said to summon luck and fortune.
| Date & time: | 10:15am / 10:30am, Jan 1 (tbc) |
| Venue: | Lobby Fl. / Banquet Fl., The Main bldg |
Atrium Concert: “Tsugaru Shamisen” (Jan 1)
Rejoice the New Year with the energetic music of traditional "Tsugaru Shamisen".
| Date & time: | 12:30pm-1:00pm & 3:30pm-4:00pm, Jan 1 |
| Venue: | Atrium, 1st Fl., Garden Court |
New Year's Taiko Drum Performance (Jan 1)
Celebrate the New Year with the powerful booming sounds of Japanese traditional “Taiko” drums.
| Date & time: | 10:30am-10:50am, Jan 1 |
| Venue: | Japanese garden (in case of rain: Tsuru room) |
"Mochi" (Rice Cake) Pounding Performance (Jan 1)
Rice cakes (Mochi) are most commonly associated with New Year's celebrations in Japan. People wish for good luck as steamed glutinous rice is smashed with a "kine", or a giant mallet, to make mochi.
| Date & time: | 2:00pm & 3:30pm, Jan 1 |
| Venue: | Orizuru Mai room, Arcade Fl., The Main bldg |
Craftwork from the Edo Era (Jan 1-3)
Craftsmen will demonstrate their skills in creating various traditional craftwork items, which can be purchased as gifts or souvenirs.
| Date & time: | 10:00am-8:00pm, Jan 1-3 (until 3pm on Jan 3) |
| Venue: | Banquet Fl. foyer, The Main bldg |
Street Fair (Jan 1-3)
Experience a traditional Japanese festival, where attractions and games are available from stall vendors.
(Additional charge required to participate in games.)
| Date & time: | 10:00am-7:00pm, Jan 1-3 (until 3pm on Jan 3) |
| Venue: | Banquet Fl. lobby, Garden Tower |
Hatsugama: New Year's Tea Ceremony (Jan 1 & 2)
Enjoy a bowl of Matcha, Japanese sweets, and the true essence of traditional Japanese hospitality.
| Date & time: | 11:00am-4:00pm, Jan 1 & 2 |
| Venue: | Seisei-an (tea room), 7th Fl., Garden Tower |
| Price: | ¥3,000 per person *cash only |
Japanese Sword Performance "Battodo" (Jan 1)
"Battodo" is a form of martial art that focuses on drawing and cutting with a real sword in a single, fluid motion. Watch the swift and proficient movements choreographed to celebrate the new year.
| Date & time: | 1:30pm-2:00pm, Jan 1 |
| Venue: | Japanese garden (in case of rain: Sirius room) |
Ninja Theatre (Jan 1 & 2)
Dynamic action sequences will be performed on-stage.
| Date & time: | 1:30pm & 5:30pm, Jan 1 & 2 |
| Venue: | Edo room, Banquet Fl., The Main bldg |
Joyful Family Game Land: Arcade & AR Games (Dec 31-Jan 3)
| Date & time: | 11:00am-9:00pm, Dec 31 10:00am-9:00pm, Jan 1 & 2 10:00am-3:00pm, Jan 3 |
| Venue: | Yu room, Arcade fl, The Main bldg *Some games require charges. |
Recommended for families with small children.
Japanese Traditions
Toshikoshi Soba: Year-crossing Noodles (Dec 31)
Eating soba (buckwheat noodles) on New Year's Eve is a long-standing tradition observed all around Japan. Savor the aroma and smoothness of the noodles along with delicate bonito broth.
| Date & time: | 10:30pm-11:30pm, Dec 31 |
| Venue: | Fuyo room, Banquet Fl., The Main bldg |
| Admission: | ¥1,800 per person *inclusive of service charge and tax |
Osechi: New Year's Feast (Jan 1 - 3)
"Osechi" is the breakfast eaten during the New Year's period.
Each item is intended to wish for the health and happiness of family members and friends for the coming year.
| Venues, dates & times: Ho room, Banquet Fl., The Main bldg (Jan 1 & 2) 7:30am-10:30am, Jan 1 & 7:30-10:00am, Jan 2 Sirius room, Banquet Fl., Garden Court (Jan 1 & 3) 8:00am-11:00am, Jan 1 & 7:30am-10:00am, Jan 3 Kioi NADAMAN, Lobby Fl., Garden Tower (Jan 1) 7:00am-11:00am | |
| Charge: | ¥8,500 per person *inclusive of service charge and tax |
Hatsumode: the First Shrine / Temple Visit of the Year (Dec 31-Jan 3)
Join the Japanese tradition in making wishes for the New Year at the Shinto shrine within the hotel.
| Date & time: | 11:30pm, Dec 31-1:00am, Jan 1 9:00am-6:00pm, Jan 1 10:00am-6:00pm Jan 2 10:00am-3:00pm Jan 3 |
| Venue: | Kofuku-den Shrine, Arcade Fl., The Main bldg |
"Kakizome" New Year's Calligraphy Writing (Jan 2)
Kakizome is the tradition of doing the first calligraphy writing of the year on January 2. All equipment is ready, as well as advice from professional calligraphy instructors (in Japanese only).
| Date & time: | 10:00am-3:00pm , Jan 2 |
| Venue: | Orizuru Mai room, Arcade Fl., The Main bldg |
Mini Kite Making Workshop (Dec 31 & Jan 1)
Kites are one of the symbols of the New Year’s celebrations.
Discover Japanese tradition by making your own hand-sized kite (“Osampo Kite”) for a charming cultural experience.
| Date & time: | 10:00am-6:00pm , Dec 31 & Jan 1 |
| Venue: | Sakura room, Banquet fl, The Main bldg |
| Price: | ¥1,000 per person |
Restaurant Events
Trader Vic’s Tokyo
Countdown Dinner (Dec 31)
Celebrate the coming of the new year in a tropical resort ambience, with a course dinner, Tahitian dance performance, and a lucky draw.
| Date & time: | 10:00pm, Dec 31 |
| Venue: | Trader Vic's Tokyo, 4th fl, Garden Tower |
| Price: | ¥18,000 per person |
*Reservation required.
*Guests must be 14 years or older.