Current date: 2025-12-23 (JST)
This article provides a practical guide to navigating business closures during Japan’s New Year holiday. It is not a list of events, but a manual for understanding which services shut down and how to plan around them. We cover the typical closure dates, which types of businesses are affected, and how to find places that remain open. The goal is to help you manage your trip effectively when many parts of the country are on break.
What This Article Explains
This guide clarifies the central problem for travelers during the New Year period: the widespread and inconsistent business closures. While January 1st is the only official public holiday, the functional shutdown period is much longer, typically from December 29th to January 4th. This confuses travelers who assume only a single day is affected. We will explain the cultural context of this holiday, detail which sectors close, and provide strategies for finding food, accessing money, and planning activities during this quiet time.
The New Year Holiday: A Quiet, Family-Focused Period
Unlike the festive, public celebrations of New Year in many Western countries, Japan’s New Year (shogatsu) is a quiet, private affair centered on family. It is the most important holiday in the Japanese calendar, comparable to Christmas in terms of cultural significance. Most people travel back to their hometowns to spend time with relatives, eat traditional foods, and visit a local shrine or temple. This mass domestic migration is what leads to the shutdown of many urban businesses and the intense crowding on long-distance transportation just before and after the core holiday period.
Which Businesses Close? A Sector-by-Sector Breakdown
The most significant challenge for travelers is knowing what to expect from different types of businesses. The closures are not uniform, but certain patterns emerge. Here is a breakdown of what is likely to be open or closed during the peak holiday period of January 1st to 3rd.
| Business Category | Status During Jan 1-3 | Practical Advice for Travelers |
| Small/Local Restaurants | Almost All Closed | Do not rely on finding small, independent eateries. They are typically run by families who are taking their only major break of the year. |
| Banks & Post Offices | Completely Closed | All banking services, including over-the-counter and many ATMs, will be unavailable. Withdraw necessary cash before December 29th. |
| Museums & Galleries | Mostly Closed | Most national and municipal museums shut down for several days. Check the official website for each specific institution well in advance. |
| Retail Shops (Small) | Almost All Closed | Independent shops and small businesses will be closed, especially on January 1st. |
| Convenience Stores | Mostly Open | Your most reliable source for food, drinks, and basic supplies. Some suburban or rural locations may have reduced hours or close for a day. |
| Fast Food Chains | Mostly Open | McDonald’s, KFC, and Japanese chains like Yoshinoya and Matsuya are generally open and serve as a dependable food source. |
| Large Department Stores | Closed Jan 1, Open Jan 2-3 | Major department stores like Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya are closed on New Year’s Day but reopen on January 2nd, often with major sales. |
| Hotels & Ryokans | Open | Accommodation is open, and their in-house restaurants are a key dining option, though they may require reservations. |
| Shrines & Temples | Open and Very Busy | These are the center of New Year activity, with millions visiting for hatsumode (the first prayer of the year). Expect large crowds and a festive atmosphere. |
How to Find Places That Are Open
When you are on the ground, your best strategy is to focus on the types of businesses that are known to operate during the holidays. Your options will be limited but predictable.
•Head to major train stations and their connected malls. Large commercial complexes like Tokyo Solamachi (at the base of the Skytree) or those in major hubs often have shops and restaurants that remain open, especially from January 2nd.
•Rely on convenience stores. For basic meals, snacks, and drinks, a combini (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) is your most dependable option. They are almost always open 24/7.
•Eat at your hotel or a fast-food chain. Hotel restaurants will be operating, and international and domestic fast-food chains are a safe bet for a hot meal.
Recommended Itinerary for January 1st to 3rd
Instead of fighting the closures, lean into the unique cultural experiences available only during this time. This is not the time for a typical sightseeing schedule.
•January 1st: Experience Hatsumode. Participate in the most important tradition of the Japanese New Year. Visit a major shrine like Meiji Jingu in Tokyo or Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. Be prepared for very large crowds, but the atmosphere is festive and memorable. Eat from the food stalls (yatai) set up at the shrine.
•January 2nd: Witness the Emperor’s Greeting and Shop the Sales. In Tokyo, head to the Imperial Palace to see the Emperor’s New Year Greeting (one of only two days a year the inner grounds are open). Afterwards, visit a department store like Mitsukoshi or Isetan for the first sales of the year and to see the tradition of fukubukuro (lucky bags).
•January 3rd: Take a Day Trip to an Open Attraction. Consider a visit to an attraction known to be open, such as an aquarium (e.g., Sumida Aquarium) or an observation deck. Alternatively, enjoy the quiet atmosphere of a city park or garden, but check their holiday schedule first.
Practical Takeaways
•The main shutdown is Dec 29 – Jan 4. Plan for the most significant closures on January 1-3.
•Withdraw cash before Dec 29. Bank and post office ATMs will be closed.
•Convenience stores are your lifeline. They remain open for food, drinks, and basic needs.
•Do not plan on visiting museums. Most will be closed.
•Embrace the cultural activities. Participate in hatsumode at a shrine for a unique experience.
•Book accommodation with dining options. Your hotel restaurant may be one of the few reliable places to eat.
Summary
Traveling in Japan during the New Year offers a unique cultural experience but requires careful planning. The country operates on a reduced schedule from roughly December 29th to January 4th, with the most extensive closures on January 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Small businesses, banks, and museums will be closed. Your most reliable options for food and supplies are convenience stores, fast-food chains, and hotel restaurants. The best approach is to plan your itinerary around the closures, focusing on cultural activities like shrine visits and embracing the quiet, unique atmosphere of Japan during its most important holiday.
Sources / References
[1] Japan National Tourism Organization. (n.d.). Business Hours & Holidays.
[2] japan-guide.com. (2025). Visiting Japan during New Year.
[3] The Tokyo Chapter. (2025). JAN 1-3, 2026: WHAT’S OPEN IN TOKYO?
Notes & Exceptions
•Closure dates and times can vary by specific location and year. Always check the official website of any attraction, restaurant, or store you plan to visit.
•While major convenience store chains are reliable, some individual franchise locations in quieter residential or office areas may close for one or two days.
Certainty Level
•High: The general closure period of December 29th to January 4th is a consistent cultural and business practice.
•High: Banks, post offices, and most small, independent businesses will be closed on January 1-3.
•High: Convenience stores, major hotel chains, and fast-food restaurants are the most reliable open businesses.
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