Tokyo Events January 2026: 8 Best Picks

Happy New Year! If you want to kick off January with some fun, start with these events.

For more information on how to welcome 2026 the Japanese way, check out our guide to Japanese New Year customs and traditions.

For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.

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1. Hatsumōde

January 1–10
All over Tokyo and beyond
Enjoy the first few days of the year, Japanese-style

Expect crowds on the first few days of the year at popular Tokyo shrines like Meiji Jingu. | Photo by iStock.com/magicflute002

Ring in 2025 with the Japanese tradition of hatsumōde, the first shrine or temple visit of the year (usually from January 1 to 3). You can pray for blessings and wealth for the future at various temples and shrines around Tokyo, but you may want to avoid the most popular spots — Sensō-ji Temple, Zōjō-ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, and Kanda Myōjin Shrine — if you don’t like crowds!

There will also be performances, ceremonial burnings, daruma doll markets, and other festivities around this time at temples and shrines. Here are some event highlights:

2. January Grand Sumo Tournament

January 11–25
Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Ryōgoku
The wrestlers are back in Tokyo!

Get up close and personal with a ringside seat. | Photo by Alex Ziminski

Held every January, this is the first of Japan’s six annual sumo tournaments, known as honbasho. While the fights are broadcast on NHK, nothing beats the atmosphere of the tense final matches of the day. Interested in heading to a match? Check our dedicated article on how to get sumo tickets.

Dates:Jan 11–Jan 25, 2026

Entry:

¥3,500 – ¥25,000

3. Tokyo Auto Salon

January 9–11
Makuhari Messe, Chiba
What kind of weird and wonderful cars will you find?

Practical? No. Fun? Yes. | Photo by David Ishikawa

One of the biggest car shows in the world, Tokyo Auto Salon is for anyone who is into customizing or personalizing their car, or for those who enjoy seeing how other people customize their rides.

The event will feature not only new and upcoming cars, but also the latest technologies, accessories, parts, and related merchandise.

Note: The first day is “Business Day”, which means that it’s only open to industry insiders and the press, but if you have a premium ticket (which will be sold in limited quantities), you too can visit from 2 p.m.

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Dates:Jan 9–Jan 11, 2026

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥3,000

4. Tokyo eSports Festa

January 9–11
Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake
A giant celebration of eSports culture and industry

main tokyo esports festa — Photo by Tokyo eSports Festa Executive Committee

This January, gaming enthusiasts will once again head to Ariake for the annual Tokyo eSports Festa. The event will see open gaming tournaments featuring popular titles like Street Fighter 6, Gran Turismo 7, and Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, as well as exhibitor booths, indie development contests, seminars, and more.

Dates:Jan 9–Jan 11, 2026

Entry:Free

5. Setagaya Boroichi Market

January 15–16
Boroichi Dori (Street), Setagaya
The biggest flea market of the year

boroichi market crowds — A crowd of visitors among the Boroichi Market stalls. | Photo by iStock.com/LewisTsePuiLung

We are known for our list of good-value flea markets to visit in Tokyo, and this is at the top of that list. As one of the biggest of the year, Setagaya Boroichi Market takes place twice, both in January and December. More than 700 vendors sell a variety of used goods, antiques, handicrafts, religious artifacts, and food to approximately 200,000 visitors.

Get Tickets To the Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku (Up to 30% Off)

Experience one of the craziest, most colorful places in Tokyo — the all-new Samurai Restaurant, from the creators of the Robot Restaurant. Get your tickets and sit back for a wild show of lasers, lights, samurai, dancers and other uniquely Japanese weirdness.

Dates:Jan 15–Jan 16, 2026

Entry:Free

6. Shimokitazwa Tengu Matsuri

Late January to early February
Shimokitazawa Ichibangai Shopping Street, Shimokitazawa
See a giant tengu float make its way through Shimokita

The Tengu Matsuri is one of the main events on Shimokita’s annual cultural calendar. On Friday night, a crow-like tengu will visit a selection of the town’s bars and restaurants accompanied by conch shell horns and drums.

On Saturday, the tengu procession will feature the crow tengu, a more traditional tengu, and a giant tengu-mask float, all escorted by yamabushi priests. This year’s dates are TBC, but with Setsubun on February 3, the event dates are likely January 30 to February 1.

Dates:

Late

Jan

Early

Feb

2026

Entry:Free

7. Matsuda Wintersweet Tree Festival

Mid January–Mid February
Matsuda Yadoriki Roubai Park, Matsuda
Flowers in winter

See a stunning display of more than 1,000 wintersweet trees and their yellow blossoms spread across Matsuda Yadoriki Park in Kanagawa Prefecture. On weekends, there are stalls selling food, local farm products, crafts, and souvenirs.

Another flowery day trip idea: Visit Atami’s plum garden for winter plum blossoms.

Price:

Adults:
At the door: ¥500

8. Winter illuminations

Throughout January
All over Tokyo and beyond
See some of Tokyo’s most iconic locations decorated with lights

Many illuminations will continue lighting up the city well into the new year. Here are some of our top picks:

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. This post, which was first published in December 2016, is updated annually. Last update: December 2025 by Patrick Balfe.