Lunar New Year in Japan: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

About a month after New Year’s festivities wind down, much of Asia and its diaspora communities around the globe are gearing up for something else: filling red hongbao envelopes with cash, sending parcels of mooncakes to families across the country, sweeping their homes and, yes, cutting their hair — these are just some signs that Lunar New Year is near. 

Japan officially celebrates New Year, also known as oshogatsu, on January 1 following the Gregorian calendar. But, how does this country, which sits close to China, Taiwan and South Korea, participate in the Lunar New Year festivities? 

Lunar New Year, or the Chinese Spring Festival, is one of Asia’s biggest holidays, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Chinese lunisolar calendar and Lunar New Year in Japan is also an event to behold.

For 2025, the celebrations ring in the Year of the Snake — a zodiac animal symbolizing wisdom, knowledge, intelligence and creativity.

Read on to explore the unique fun, festivities and flavorful experiences across Japan during the Lunar New Year.

The Lunar New Year in 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29. Unlike the fixed dates of the Gregorian calendar — the 365-day calendar we use that runs from January to December — the date of Lunar New Year changes each year based on the cycles of the moon. 

The holiday occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice (December 21), which means it typically lands between January 21 and February 20, often just before or after Valentine's Day. For example, in 2024, the Lunar New Year falls on February 10. Festivities typically kick off the evening before the first day and continue for two weeks.

The Lunar New Year is deeply tied to the Chinese zodiac, a 12-year cycle where each year is represented by an animal sign: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Interestingly, in Japan a boar replaces the pig zodiac. 

Sadly, Lunar New Year isn’t widely celebrated in Japan, making it an exception among East Asian countries. In Vietnam, for instance, the Lunar New Year, known as Tet, is the most significant family celebration, centered around honoring ancestors and reuniting with loved ones. 

However, because Japan’s focus is on oshogatsu, by the time late January or February rolls around and neighboring countries begin their Lunar New Year, the nation’s celebrations have already concluded.

With that being said, Japan's two largest minority groups, the Chinese and Korean communities, continue to observe the Lunar New Year according to their traditions. The best places to experience these celebrations are in Japan’s three major Chinatowns, also called chukagai: Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki. Additionally, smaller-scale festivities are still observed in the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa Prefecture and Amami Islands.

Japan may not widely celebrate Lunar New Year today, but its culture has been deeply shaped by Chinese influences, often via Korea. In fact, the Chinese lunisolar calendar, introduced in the sixth century, served as Japan's primary timekeeping system until 1873. During this era, Japan celebrated New Year’s Day alongside China, Korea and Vietnam.

The shift away from the lunisolar calendar came during the Meiji Restoration when Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar to align with Western nations. At the time, Japanese elites viewed certain Asian traditions as outdated, believing modernization required embracing Western customs. 

Despite initial resistance — particularly in rural areas that continued observing Lunar New Year well into the 20th century — the Gregorian calendar was eventually followed in daily life. 

Still, traces of Lunar New Year traditions linger in Japan, interwoven with oshogatsu celebrations. Both emphasize thoroughly cleaning the home to sweep away the past year’s misfortunes. Similarly, while children in China receive red envelopes filled with money during the Lunar New Year, Japanese children receive otoshidama in festive white-and-red envelopes during New Year, also stuffed with money for the year ahead.

Lunar New Year can be an excellent time to visit Japan, especially for travelers seeking a quieter experience. Unlike Golden Week or Obon, the Lunar New Year is not one of Japan's major holidays, so it does not significantly impact crowd levels. 

Public offices, businesses and transportation services operate as usual, and popular attractions remain open.

Since the holiday technically falls in winter, many international travelers tend to also head to northern Japan to hit the ski slopes in Hokkaido (like the glorious powder snow of Niseko). As a result, central and southern cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa tend to be less crowded.

That said, some popular tourist spots may experience a slight uptick in visitors from other parts of Asia, where the Lunar New Year is a major holiday. In countries like Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, employees often enjoy a 7-day break, making this the perfect time for them to travel abroad. 

Yokohama, the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and home to the largest Chinatown in Asia, is the best place to celebrate Lunar New Year in Japan. The main draw of this sprawling district, home to over 500 Chinese shops, is the food. 

While some restaurants adjust their dishes to suit the Japanese palate, authentic Chinese flavors are still very much present. Nikuman (pork buns) sit alongside stalls grilling soup dumplings, while nearby, visitors line up for Hong Kong-style egg tarts and glossy Peking duck hanging in storefronts. Traditional Chinese mooncakes can also be found in souvenir shops. 

During the Lunar New Year, the city takes the celebrations up a notch with vibrant lion and dragon dances showing off impressive acrobatics alongside colorful parades. There is even Spring Festival Illumination, which has the street decorated in vibrant lanterns, making the ornate architecture of Yokohama Chukagai even more spectacular. 

Kobe’s Chinatown, Nankin-machi, is a small but vibrant district that extends almost 300 meters east to west and roughly 100 meters north to south. The area, which still retains elements of traditional Chinese architecture, is packed with Chinese restaurants, street food stalls and souvenir shops.

The Lunar New Year is the biggest event in Nankin-machi, celebrated for one week each year according to the old lunar calendar. During this festival, the area comes alive with musical performances, lion dances, dragon dances and a colorful costume parade featuring famous figures from Chinese history.

In addition to the Lunar New Year festivities, Nankin-machi hosts several other cultural events throughout the year, including the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Nankin-machi Lantern Fair.

A bustling lane with over 250 shops and restaurants in downtown Nagasaki, Nagasaki Chinatown is Japan’s oldest chukagai, shaped by some of the country’s earliest immigrants. Chinese traders had settled in Nagasaki from the 17th to 19th century; at one point, over 10,000 residents had lived in the city. 

Today, the area retains historic structures, like the large red gates constructed by Chinese craftsmen, Chinese-style temples and buildings with hip-and-gable roofs. 

It’s also home to one of Japan’s most breathtaking Lunar New Year celebrations. During the massive Lantern Festival, the streets glow with over 15,000 intricately crafted lanterns, from designs to towering installations shaped like Chinese zodiac animals of the year. 

You can find notable Chinese-influenced dishes of chanpon and sara udon. For a more familiar taste, try Chinese braised pork nestled between fluffy, white steamed buns.

Historically, the Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa Prefecture and the Satsunan Islands, were a vital trading hub that connected Japan, China and Southeast Asia. The chain of 55 islands stretching from Kyushu to Taiwan is closer to Taipei and Shanghai than it is to Tokyo. 

Although the Ryukyu Islands are part of Japan, their culture is distinctly different. Before being annexed by Japan, the kingdom maintained trade relations with China for centuries. Many Ryukyuan officials were descended from Chinese immigrants.

This Chinese influence is also why the Ryukyuan people are one of the few communities in Japan that still celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar — known as the Ryukyu New Year. 

During this time, villages are filled with traditional performances, including classical music played on the sanshin, and tug-of-war and wrestling ceremonies. The streets echo with the sound of taiko drums and Eisa dancers. Like on New Year's Eve, the evening culminates in a grand fireworks display.

A sure way to avoid overcrowded places is to head to lesser-known destinations. Thankfully, Japan has plenty of options. Our first few experiences bring you the best of Japan in a more intimate setting. 

Just a few hours southwest of Tokyo, Nagoya is a too-often-overlooked city. It's home to a unique breakfast culture, the recently opened Ghibli Park, and the world's second-largest planetarium. When not looking at the stars or wandering Dondoko Forest, make your own Japanese confectionery (wagashi) and experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony. 

Delicate, beautiful, and delicious, Japanese wagashi sweets are a quintessential part of Japanese culture and a part of the ritual of any Japanese tea ceremony. This food experience offers the opportunity to learn how to make a range of Japanese sweets from scratch, diverse in their flavors and textures, and then enjoy them with a humbling Japanese tea ceremony experience. 

Now, if you're open to a detour, let us recommend a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Mie Prefecture. Stay overnight at a farmer's inn in Taikicho and prepare dinner with the family. Harvest vegetables and mushrooms, cook rice with local spring water, and indulge in a sukiyaki hot pot with luxurious Matsusaka wagyu. 

Collect water for the hot pot and rice at a local spring. This water is known as "miracle water" by neighboring residents, who say drinking it is their secret to a long life. Then, pick your veggies at a nearby vegetable patch. Lend a hand in making Japanese rice the old-fashioned way, starting by splitting wood for a fire.

The family uses a wood-fueled "kamado" stove to cook their rice, a tradition that used to be the norm in Japan but has since been replaced by electric rice cookers. The effort pays off, as steaming the rice using this method is said to bring out even more delicious flavors from the rice. The star ingredient of your meal will be Mie-raised Matsusaka wagyu, a protein that ranks in the top 3 Japanese beefs. 

Experience the beauty of slow food, preparing a meal using traditional methods and ingredients hand-picked in the locality. 

If you can't make it out of Tokyo, don't worry, we've got you. Take your food experiences a step further by making a unique fake food sample. Japanese fake food samples are a part of everyday life. You'll see them outside Japanese restaurants across the country, acting as a visual menu that entices hungry customers to come in. 

In this workshop, you will learn how to make your very own fake food sample with the help of a friendly, professional teacher. Choose the default experience, and you'll make your own life-size ramen food sample. Alternatively, select one of the options and make an adorable tart charm, cupcake charm, or parfait.

The best way to see Tokyo's skyline at night? From a boat, of course! Board an elegant yakatabune (traditional Japanese "pleasure boat") for a private cruise and dining experience in Tokyo. Marvel at stunning views of Tokyo Bay, Odaiba, and Rainbow Bridge as you feast on a luxurious kaiseki meal. Accomplished chefs with experience gained at renowned hotels will showcase their culinary artistry right before your eyes. 

This unique experience is pricey but worth every yen. Plus, it makes for a great date night activity if you're celebrating Valentine's Day with a loved one or marking a special anniversary. 

The key to escaping the crowds during one of Japan's busiest periods is to go where nobody else is going. You can book hundreds of food experiences on byFood in addition to the ones we suggested. Browse cooking classes, food tours and sake tastings. 

Pro tip: Use the handy filters to find experiences suited to your trip and preferences.

Since Lunar New Year in Japan falls under the broader New Year umbrella, Japanese people who observe the occasion typically enjoy foods similar to those served during oshogatsu, such as:

• Toshikoshi soba: Long buckwheat noodles symbolizing longevity, eaten on New Year's Eve for good luck in the coming year.

• Ozoni soup: A comforting soup with mochi and vegetables, traditionally enjoyed on New Year's Day.

• Osechi ryori: A special assortment of traditional New Year foods, beautifully presented in a compartmentalized lacquer box. Each dish carries symbolic meanings, like good fortune, prosperity and health.

In addition to these, you can find typical Lunar New Year foods, like dumplings and spring rolls, at food stalls in Chinatown. For more symbolic dining, head to a local Chinese restaurant for steamed whole fish, which represents abundance, pork dishes symbolizing wealth and longevity noodles, which signify long life.

For dessert, you can find Lunar New Year-themed wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), often shaped or stamped with the zodiac animal of the upcoming lunar year. Head to Chinese bakeries on the Chinatowns for mooncakes, too.

Spending the Chinese Spring Festival in the capital? See how to celebrate Lunar New Year in Tokyo!