Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity in Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity

Outty Ranking 51 3.7 · 6 traveler reviews3.5 hoursFrom $10000

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September 2026

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Outty Ranking

51/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.7/5

Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity worth booking?

Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity is a 3.5-hour experience in Tokyo, Japan, from $10000 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
51 / 100
Rating
3.7/5 (6)
Duration
3.5 hours
From
$10000 per person

✨ Why This Tour is Special ⛩️ Exclusive VIP Viewing Area: Avoid the heavy crowds. We have secured a government-permitted special viewing zone, ensuring a clear, front-row view for you and your family. ⛩️ Become Part of

What you get

    About this experience

    ✨ Why This Tour is Special ⛩️ Exclusive VIP Viewing Area: Avoid the heavy crowds. We have secured a government-permitted special viewing zone, ensuring a clear, front-row view for you and your family. ⛩️ Become Part of the Legend: Transform into a mythical fox with traditional face-painting (included in Plans A & B) and join the locals to celebrate the magical New Year! ⛩️ A Sacred Ringing-In: Ring in the New Year with a festive countdown and toast at the shrine, and receive a special Fox Procession commemorative gift found nowhere else. ✨️Tour Packages We offer 3 options to match your schedule and preferences perfectly. Find the plan that best fits your style! A. Complete Experience (3.5 Hours) — JPY 20,000 B. Standard Experience (3.5 Hours) — JPY 15,000 C. Viewing Only (1.5 Hours) — JPY 10,000 ✨️ Part of your tour fee directly supports preserving this heritage for future generations.

    What's included

    Included

    • Dinner
    • Option A & B only: Traditional Fox Face-Painting
    • Special viewing area right by Oji Inari Shrine for the fox procession
    • Exclusive Fox Procession original commemorative gift
    • New Year's countdown at the shrine
    • Alcoholic beverages

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Tokyo

    Option A: Myogadani Station - Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line: Exit 2 (Ground Level) Option B & C: JR Oji Station (North Entrance) - JR Line: North Exit gates (Street level) - Tokyo Metro Namboku Line: Exit 3 (Ground level), walk to JR station

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Option A: Myogadani Station - Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line: Exit 2 (Ground Level) Option B & C: JR Oji Station (North Entrance) - JR Line: North Exit gates (Street level) - Tokyo Metro Namboku Line: Exit 3 (Ground level), walk to JR station

    Options you can book

    • C. Viewing Only

      One drink: New Year's countdown at the shrine & a celebratory toast drink Original Gift: Fox Procession original commemorative gift

    • A. Complete Experience

      Dinner with Free-Flow Drinks: Sit-down Local Dinner with Free-Flow Drinks, New Year's countdown at the shrine & a celebratory toast drink Fox Make-up, Original Gift: Traditional Fox Face-Painting, Fox Procession original commemorative gift

    • B. Standard Experience

      One drink: New Year's countdown at the shrine & a celebratory toast drink Fox Make-up, Original Gift: Traditional Fox Face-Painting, Fox Procession original commemorative gift

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    cmn, en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Thu
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    OMAKASE

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Become a fox!?We are the guides!Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity in Tokyo, photo 4Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity in Tokyo, photo 5Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity in Tokyo, photo 6Oji Inari shrine

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    6 verified traveler reviews for Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
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    4 star
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    Sort
    554keitat · December 2025

    Here's to it in the tent.

    Sake in the tent with everyone, it was the best New Year’s Eve. I was able to enjoy the New Year's Eve atmosphere of Japan without getting tired of efficiently going from izakaya to countdown park to shrine of fox procession

    Response from the operator: この度はツアーに参加していただきありがとうございます。観光地ではない地元のスポットで一緒に日本の新年をお祝いできたことを嬉しく思います。私達は小さい旅行会社にしかできない本物の日本体験やユニークなツアーを提供しています。また機会があればお会いできることを楽しみにしています! Thanks so much for joining our tour! We’re so glad we could celebrate the Japanese New Year together in a local, non-touristy spot. As a small travel company, we really pride ourselves on offering authentic Japanese experiences and unique tours that you won't find anywhere else. We hope to see you again for another adventure in the future! Miyuki & Hitomi and team

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Makenzie P · January 2025

    Disappointed New Years

    I was really looking forward to this New Year’s Eve tour, expecting a traditional celebration, but unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. From the beginning, the organization felt disjointed. Our group had around 30 people, and the guide would start speaking before everyone had even arrived, and when she did, it was so quiet that it was difficult to hear her. It was frustrating, and it was clear she needed a microphone. It would have been much better if she had waited for the whole group to gather before beginning. We then spent two hours at a restaurant that felt like a waste of time. It seemed more focused on getting people drunk than creating a memorable New Year’s experience. The “unlimited drinks” offer was confusing and didn’t add anything positive to the evening. The biggest disappointment, however, was the Fox Parade. We were promised a great viewing spot, but that was far from the reality. We should have arrived at the parade location at least an hour early, but when we did get there, the guide seemed surprised by the crowd, despite it being New Year’s Eve. We tried to follow her to find a better spot, but she led us to the start of the parade, where we couldn’t see anything. Eventually, we were moved to the temple where the parade ended and had to stand there for an hour. By the time it reached us, it simply went up the temple steps, and we still didn’t get a good view. They had promised us the best spot, but it definitely wasn’t. We left feeling incredibly disappointed. The tour was nothing like what we had imagined, and to make matters worse, the transportation afterward was a nightmare. The train would have taken us until 6 a.m., so we had to scramble to find another way to get home. On the positive side, our guide was friendly, and we did visit some beautiful temples, but overall, this experience didn’t live up to what we had hoped for. We never got to see the parade, which was the highlight of the evening, and it was a major letdown.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your valuable feedback. This event, which had been canceled by Covid, resumed the year before last after a three-year absence, and the turnout exceeded our expectations. The fact that there were no roped off areas for the parade at the last stop was also unexpected, as we had been waiting for an hour and were unable to see the parade due to the crowds of people who came later. If we had known this information in advance, we could have directed you to a different location. Since microphones are not an option in a residential area at night, we are considering increasing the number of guides and dividing the group into several smaller groups. Some people said the time spent at the izakaya-pub was short, some said it was long, and everyone is different, but next time we are considering renting out an appropriately sized izakaya-pub and having guests enjoy drinks while watching a presentation on Japanese culture and traditions. Regarding the difficulty in getting back to the hotel due to the limited number of trains, we will either try to obtain train schedules in advance and let you know, or we will discuss with local tourism associations that can provide a place to rest after the parade to avoid the peak hours. We look forward to welcoming you next year with even more improvements. Miyuki

    via Tripadvisor

    554keitat · December 2024

    It was good experience

    I enjoyed Japanese local new year eve and It was great to meet many people.the sake and yakitori in “izakaya “ were delicious but it was troublesome to order menu on tablet.The tour guide was enthusiastic and likable. Unfortunately, there were many audiences and it was not easy to see the “ fox procession”,but it was also good experience.

    Response from the operator: We are very honored by your appreciation and helpful comments. We hope you enjoyed the real local atmosphere of participating in a local festival in a non-touristy place. The ordering tablets in the Izakaya pub are complicated and confusing at first. Next time your guide will help you! The crowds were great, but next time we will improve the tour to give you a better view of the parade and make it more enjoyable. We will continue to hold events in cooperation with the local community, such as cherry blossom viewing in the spring, sake brewery tours, and summer festivals to enjoy Bon Odori dancing with the local people. If you ever come to Japan, please join us! And of course, don't forget say Kanpai! Miyuki & Hitomi

    via Tripadvisor

    jakehU6553AG · December 2024

    Wholesome

    Very good and friendly tour guides, enjoyed going around the shrines and seeing the real culture of Japan, going for food and drinks after the tour was a very wholesome experience on New Year’s Eve very much recommend going on this tour.

    Response from the operator: We are very honored to receive a 5 star rating from you. It was a very rare experience to visit a shrine and to hear the story at night. We hope you enjoyed the mysterious and solemn atmosphere. We are committed to not only providing sightseeing, but also to share with international visitors the Japanese culture and traditions that lie behind the scenes. We will hold this kind of event in cooperation with the local people, so if you ever come to Japan, please join us! Let's Kanpai together! Miyuki & Hitomi

    via Tripadvisor

    477dionr · December 2024

    Awesome

    Shrines were beautiful and food as well highly recommend excursion if you are looking for something to do at night time .

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the 5-star rating! We really appreciate it! It was a cold night, but we had a HOT time with all of you and it was a very valuable New Year's Eve. We will hold this kind of event in cooperation with the local people, so if you ever come to Japan, please join us! See you soon! Miyuki & Hitomi

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Thu
    Price range
    $10000 to $20000
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 51

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)69
    Review evidence (18% weight)27
    Booking momentum (14% weight)18
    Value for money (12% weight)39
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)17
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tokyo.

    How much does Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity cost?

    +

    Prices start at $10000 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tokyo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity take?

    +

    Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tokyo is not rushed.

    Is Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tokyo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity?

    +

    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tokyo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tokyo and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Tokyo: Unique Japanese New Year Tradition Culture Festivity start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tokyo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Tokyo?

    +

    Tokyo is less a city than a stack of neighborhoods with completely different opening hours. A guided food crawl through Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho gets you past the no-tourist curtains, while the day trips west to Hakone and Fuji need an early start to be worth the fare. Our ranking weighs guide quality heavily here, because in Tokyo the guide is the product. On Outty we rank every Tokyo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tokyo Shinjuku Chopsticks Making Class, Tokyo : Asakusa Chopsticks Making Class, Shinjuku Night Food and Bar Crawl. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Tokyo?

    +

    Late March to May for blossom, October to November for clear Fuji views. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Tokyo?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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