🎉Japanese New Year (Shogatsu) Complete Guide 2026-2027 — Quick Answer Hatsumode, Otoshidama, Osechi & Budgets
⚡ 30-second takeaway: Japan's Shogatsu (Dec 31 - Jan 3) = ①Joya no Kane bells + Kohaku Uta Gassen (evening of 12/31) ②Hatsumode first shrine visit (Meiji Jingu, Sensoji, etc.) ③Osechi cuisine (family tradition) ④Otoshidama (cash gifts for kids) ⑤Hakone Ekiden relay (Jan 2-3) ⑥Fukubukuro lucky bags (department stores, ¥3-100K). Watch out for closures on Jan 1-3, full opening from Jan 4, and budget ¥150-300K for a peak-season week.
Quick reference
Value
Joya no Kane
Evening of 12/31
Hatsumode
Jan 1-3
Osechi
Traditional cuisine
Otoshidama
For children
Fukubukuro
¥3-100K
Last verified
June 2026
📖6 min read
Photo: Yen Finder Editorial
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Contents📖 ~5 min read
🎊 350-Article Milestone!
This is yenfinder.com's 350th article, dedicated to a complete guide to Japanese New Year culture.
30-second takeaway
Shogatsu is Japan's biggest family event, a unique culture where tradition and modern life come together. Closures can frustrate visitors, but you also get unique experiences like Hatsumode, Fukubukuro and the Hakone Ekiden.
🎌 Main Event Timeline
December 31 (Omisoka)
8-11pm: Kohaku Uta Gassen
~11:30pm: Toshikoshi soba
11:45pm-12:30am: Joya no Kane (108 bells)
12:00am: New Year countdown
January 1 (Ganjitsu)
0:00-3:00am: Hatsumode (before dawn)
6-9am: Hatsuhinode (first sunrise)
Breakfast: Ozoni soup
Lunch: Osechi
Evening: Family time
January 2
Hakone Ekiden outward leg
Kakizome (first calligraphy)
Department store Fukubukuro
January 3
Hakone Ekiden return leg
End of San-ga-nichi (first three days)
January 7
Nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb rice porridge)
Prayer for good health
January 11
Kagami-biraki
Eat the mochi rice cakes
January 15
Ko-shogatsu (Little New Year)
⛩ Top 10 Hatsumode Shrines & Temples
1️⃣ Meiji Jingu (Tokyo, Shibuya)
New Year visitors: 3.2 million (Japan's most)
Hours: 24 hours
Offering: ¥5-100
2️⃣ Sensoji (Tokyo, Asakusa)
New Year visitors: 2.8 million
Very tourist-friendly
3️⃣ Naritasan Shinshoji (Chiba)
New Year visitors: 2.5 million
Access: Walk from Narita Station
4️⃣ Kawasaki Daishi (Kanagawa)
New Year visitors: 2 million
5️⃣ Fushimi Inari Taisha (Kyoto)
New Year visitors: 1.5 million
Senbon Torii (thousand vermilion gates)
6️⃣ Sumiyoshi Taisha (Osaka)
New Year visitors: 2 million
7️⃣ Dazaifu Tenmangu (Fukuoka)
God of learning
New Year visitors: 1 million
8️⃣ Izumo Taisha (Shimane)
God of relationships
9️⃣ Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Kanagawa)
Ancient capital of Kamakura
🔟 Yasaka Shrine (Kyoto)
Chance to spot maiko
💴 Otoshidama (Cash Gifts for Children)
Typical amounts
Ages 0-3: ¥1,000
Ages 4-6: ¥2,000-3,000
Elementary (lower grades): ¥3,000-5,000
Elementary (upper grades): ¥5,000-10,000
Junior high: ¥10,000-15,000
High school: ¥10,000-20,000
Pochibukuro (small envelopes)
¥100-500 each
Sold at Lawson and other convenience stores
For travelers
Cultural experience tours: Some include this
Cultural facilities
🍱 Osechi Cuisine
Traditional dishes (jubako tiered boxes)
First tier: Celebratory bites
Black beans (health)
Herring roe (descendants)
Candied sardines (good harvest)
Tataki-gobo
Second tier: Grilled
Sea bream (auspicious)
Shrimp (longevity)
Yellowtail
Grilled chestnuts
Third tier: Simmered
Chikuzen-ni
Kombu-maki
Yawata-maki
Fourth tier: Vinegared
Kohaku namasu
Pickled lotus root
Pickled shrimp
Where to buy
Department store osechi: ¥10,000-50,000
Convenience store osechi: ¥3,000-15,000
Specialty shops: ¥20,000-100,000
Booking window
Sep-Dec: Reservation window
Dec 30-31: Delivery or pickup
Travelers: Book a restaurant instead
🏆 Fukubukuro (Lucky Bags)
Department store fukubukuro
Sales start Jan 2 at department stores
¥3,000-100,000
Often worth double the price
Long lines
Major fukubukuro brands
Apparel: GAP / UNIQLO / Muji
Cosmetics: Shiseido / SK-II
Electronics: Yodobashi / Bic Camera
Food: High-end restaurants
Tips for travelers
Jan 2, early morning: Line up from 5-7am
Online reservations: Some available
Multilingual staff: At large stores
🏃 Hakone Ekiden
Dates
January 2-3
217km between Tokyo and Hakone
Course
Outward (Jan 2): Otemachi → Hakone
Return (Jan 3): Hakone → Otemachi
Watching
Roadside: Free
Live TV: Nippon TV
Travelers: Roadside near start or finish
🍜 Toshikoshi Soba
Meaning
Prayer for long life
"Cutting away" bad luck
Where to eat
Soba shops: Open 6pm-midnight on 12/31
Convenience stores: ¥400-800
Supermarkets: ¥300-600
For travelers
Soba-making experience: ¥3,000-8,000
New Year's Eve special menus
🎵 Kohaku Uta Gassen
Date
12/31, 7:15-11:45pm
NHK General TV
About
Year's biggest TV broadcast
Female team vs. male team
40-50 acts perform
For travelers
Hotels: Most can show it
Overseas: Sometimes available on NHK World
🎊 Top 5 Events for Travelers
1️⃣ Joya no Kane experience
Sensoji, Zojoji, etc.: Public can ring the bell
11:45pm-1:00am
2️⃣ Hatsumode
Meiji Jingu: Where travelers gather
Multilingual pamphlets
3️⃣ Hatsuhinode (first sunrise)
Enoshima / Izu: Coastal views
Tokyo Tower: Urban view
Admission ¥1,000-3,000
4️⃣ Fukubukuro shopping
Department store tour
Morning of Jan 2
5️⃣ Hakone Ekiden
Watching roadside: Free
TV viewing
💰 1-Week Shogatsu Budgets
Value (traveler)
Lodging: ¥8,000 x 6 = ¥48,000 (peak rates)
Meals: ¥3,000 x 7 = ¥21,000
Sightseeing: ¥10,000
Fukubukuro: ¥5,000
Transit: ¥15,000
Total: ¥99,000
Standard
Lodging: ¥15,000 x 6 = ¥90,000
Meals: ¥5,000 x 7 = ¥35,000
Sightseeing: ¥20,000
Fukubukuro: ¥10,000-30,000
Transit: ¥25,000
Total: ¥180,000-200,000
Comfort
Lodging: ¥25,000 x 6 = ¥150,000
Meals: ¥8,000 x 7 = ¥56,000
Sightseeing: ¥40,000
Fukubukuro: ¥30,000-100,000
Transit: ¥40,000
Total: ¥316,000-386,000
⚠️ Shogatsu Cautions
Closures
San-ga-nichi (Jan 1-3) mostly closed
Convenience stores and tourist sites stay open
Full opening from Jan 4
Transportation
Shinkansen reserved seats and flights are tough to book
Book 6 months ahead
Prices rise 50-100%
Shrines & temples
Heavy crowds
Long queues (1-3 hours at Meiji Jingu)
Crowded at the offering box
Weather
Eastern Japan: Cold and dry
Western Japan: Cold with snow
Northern Japan: Heavy snow
🌐 How Visitors Enjoy Shogatsu by Country
🇺🇸 American travelers
Hatsumode + Fukubukuro: Popular
Hakone Ekiden: TV viewing
🇨🇳 Chinese travelers
Different from Chinese New Year
Onsen trips
🇰🇷 Korean travelers
Shared New Year culture
Family Hatsumode
🇪🇺 European travelers
Experience a quiet New Year
Temple visits
🇮🇳 Indian travelers
Cultural experiences
🎁 Shogatsu Souvenirs
For travelers
Ema (wooden plaques): ¥500-1,500
Omamori (charms): ¥500-2,000
Small osechi sampler: ¥1,500-3,500
Hagoita paddle: ¥3,000-10,000
Calligraphy works: Available via traveler workshops
📅 Booking Timing
Flights & Shinkansen
Book 6 months ahead
Use early-bird fares
Reserved seats essential
Hotels
6-12 months ahead
Large hotels: Book early
Osechi
Reserve Sep-Nov
Department stores + specialty shops
Fukubukuro
Sep-Dec reservation: Some available
Day-of purchase: Early-morning line
5 Common Mistakes Travelers Make
Not checking closures: Hard to find meals
Hours-long wait at Meiji Jingu on 1/1: Recommend Jan 4 onwards
No Shinkansen reserved seat: Unreserved cars overflow
Not knowing how to eat osechi: There is an order
Unaware of otoshidama culture: Travelers can only give, not receive
Pre-departure Checklist
Book flights + Shinkansen 6 months ahead
Book hotel
Reserve osechi (optional)
Research fukubukuro
Make a Hatsumode list
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where should I go for Shogatsu?
A: Tokyo + Kamakura is a classic combo, with Meiji Jingu + Sensoji + Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. The big three Hatsumode spots.
Q: Can I receive Otoshidama?
A: Some traveler experience tours include it, but as a culture for children, travelers typically only give.
Q: How do I buy fukubukuro?
A: Department stores early Jan 2, with growing online pre-orders, and multilingual staff at large stores.
Q: What's most popular with travelers?
A: Hatsumode (Meiji Jingu) + Fukubukuro (Isetan) + watching the Hakone Ekiden from the road.
Q: What about meals during San-ga-nichi?
A: Convenience stores + family restaurants + tourist sites stay open, while many local restaurants close.
Editorial: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified June 2026. New Year culture and shrine details change, so check each shrine and department store directly for the latest.
