Japanese New Year's Events at Hotel New Otani Tokyo 2024

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 floor / Banquet floor lobby, The Main bldg

New Year Atrium Concert: “Tsugaru Shamisen” (Jan 1)

Date & time: 12:30pm-1:00pm & 3:30pm-4:00pm, Jan 1
Venue: Atrium, 1st fl, Garden Court
*Stage talk in Japanese only.

Taiko Drum Performance (Jan 1)

Celebrate the New Year with the powerful booming sounds of Japanese traditional “Taiko” drums in the Japanese garden.

Date & time: 10:30am, Jan 1
Venue: Japanese garden (in case of rain: Tsuru room)

Mochitsuki: Mochi Pounding (Jan 1)

A well-known Japanese tradition of making rice cakes (mochi) at New Year. 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: Mai room, 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
Admission: Free of charge

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: 10am-7pm, Jan 1-3 (until 3pm on Jan 3)
Venue: Banquet fl lobby, Garden Tower

Hatsugama: New Year's Tea Ceremony (Jan 1 & 2)

"Hatsugama" is the tradition of lighting a fire to heat the kettle for the first time that year, and using water drawn in the early morning of New Year’s Day to prepare tea. Experience the true essence of traditional Japanese hospitality with a bowl of Matcha and Japanese sweets.

Date & time: 11:00am-4:00pm, Jan 1 & 2
Venue: Seisei-an (tea room), 7th fl, Garden Tower
Price: ¥2,000

Regional Goods Fair from New Otani Group Hotels (Jan 1-3)

New Otani group hotels from around Japan bring various specialty products from their local areas to Tokyo for this delightful pop-up store.

Date & time: 10:00am-6:00pm, Jan 1-3 (until 3pm on Jan 3)
Venue: Tachibana room, Banquet fl, The Main bldg

Joyful Family Game Land: Arcade & AR Games
(Jan 1-3)

Date & time: 10:00am-9:00pm, Jan 1-3 (until 3pm on Jan 3)
Venue: Yu room, Arcade fl, The Main bldg
*Some games require charges.

Recommended for families with small children.

Caricature Portraits (Jan 1-3)

Date & time: 10:00am-6:00pm, Jan 1-3 (until 3pm on Jan 3)
Price: ¥2,000 per person and up

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.

Date & time:  7:30-10:00am, Jan 1-3 (until 10:30am on Jan 1)
Venue: Ho room, The Main bldg on Jan 1 & 2, Sirius, Garden Court on Jan 3
Charge: ¥8,000 per person
*inclusive of service charge and tax

Hatsumode: the First Shrine Visit of the Year (Jan 1 - 3)

Join the Japanese tradition in making wishes for the New Year. A shrine located within the hotel is available.

Date & time:  9:00am-6:00pm, Jan 1 
                      10:00am-6:00pm Jan 2
                      10:00am-3:00pm Jan 3

Venue:  Ko-fukuden,  Arcade floor, The Main bldg
Admission: Free of charge