Tokyo New Year Business Hours: What Opens January 1

Essential information for Tokyo year-end travel 2026!
Complete guide to stores closed on January 1st, shopping malls and outlets that are open, Shinjuku Isetan and Ginza Mitsukoshi Hatsuuri schedules, and JR/subway late-night operations.

“What if you arrive in Tokyo on January 1st and can’t find a single restaurant open?” It sounds like a nightmare, but it can actually happen during Japan’s year-end and New Year period (Oshogatsu). Like Korea’s Lunar New Year, January 1st is a major holiday in Japan, and most stores are closed.

But don’t worry. There are ‘oasis-like’ places that are wide open even on January 1st, and we’ve perfectly organized the January 2nd ‘Hatsuuri (First Sale)’ opening rush schedule where you can shop at the cheapest prices of the year. This one article is all you need for your Tokyo year-end travel planning.

⭐ Where are you planning to watch the Tokyo New Year countdown?
Check out the 2026 Tokyo Countdown BEST 3 Spots & Transportation Tips including subway service suspension information!

➡️ 2026 Tokyo New Year Countdown BEST 3 | Shinjuku vs Zojoji vs Sensoji

➡️ Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Countdown 2026 | Lineup & Best Spots

📅 1. Warning! Places ‘CLOSED’ on January 1st (Avoid Wasted Trips)

Traditional Japanese department stores and local shops are closed on January 1st (Ganjitsu) as a rule. If you wander around Ginza or Shinjuku streets on this day without planning, you might end up eating convenience store bento boxes for meals.

⛔ Places Closed on January 1st

• Major Department Stores: Shinjuku Isetan, Ginza Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, Takashimaya, Keio, Odakyu, etc.
• Fashion Buildings: Lumine, NEWoMan, Shibuya 109, Parco, Marui (0101)
• Others: Most private restaurants, local izakayas, art museums, museums

💡 Tokyo Mate Tip: “Huh? Google Maps says it’s open?” Never trust it. Google Maps business hours are often not updated during year-end and New Year. Always check the official schedules below.

📌 Tokyo Major Department Stores Year-End Business Hours & Closures Complete Guide

(※ Most close early on 12/31, closed on 1/1, normal or shortened hours from 1/2)

■ Shinjuku Isetan

■ Shinjuku NEWoMan

■ Ginza Mitsukoshi

■ Shibuya Hikarie (ShinQs)

■ Azabudai Hills (Department Store)

■ Azabudai Hills Market (B1 Floor)

🛍️ 2. Hatsuuri (First Sale) Opening Rush Strategy

The real shopping game starts on January 2nd. This day is called ‘Hatsuuri (初売り)’ in Japan, when department stores open their doors and start selling lucky bags (Fukubukuro) and massive sales.

⏰ Opening Time Tip
Official opening is at 10:00 AM, but on Hatsuuri day, crowds gather and stores often open early at 9:00~9:30 AM. If you’re targeting popular brands (Comme des Garçons, Bao Bao, etc.), you need to arrive by at least 8:30 AM.

👉 [Click] 2026 Japan Fukubukuro (Lucky Bag) Brand Composition & Recommendation List

🎡 3. Survival Guide! Places ‘OPEN’ on January 1st (Go Here)

🌅 [Priority 0] Start with a Free Sunrise at 7 AM!
Before the shopping malls open, catch the first sunrise of 2026! Even without SkyTree or Shibuya Sky tickets, it’s okay. We’ve organized 7 free spots by route that you can reach by train without reservations, including Odaiba, Haneda, and Kasai Rinkai Park.

👉 2026 Tokyo Sunrise Time 6:50s | Free Sunrise Spots BEST 7 Without Reservations

On January 1st, plan your itinerary around ’tourist attractions’ or ’large complex facilities’ rather than shopping.

1️⃣ Asakusa Sensoji
Crowded with people doing Hatsumode (New Year’s shrine visit) and fortune-telling. You can enjoy takoyaki, yakisoba, etc. at yatai (food stalls).

👉 [Click] Tokyo Asakusa Attractions & Restaurants Complete Guide

2️⃣ Tokyo Skytree & Solamachi
Both the observation deck and lower shopping mall are open year-round. Perfect for viewing the first night view of the new year.

👉 Tokyo Skytree Reservation Discounts & Restaurant Guide

3️⃣ Odaiba (DiverCity/Decks/Aqua City/Ariake Garden)
See the Gundam, shop, and lots of restaurants. Top recommendation for family travelers.

👉 Tokyo Odaiba Must-Visit Spots, One-Day Complete Course

4️⃣ teamLab Borderless, teamLab Planets
World-famous media art exhibitions operating during year-end and New Year. (Advance reservation required)

👉 Tokyo Azabudai Hills teamLab Borderless Review

5️⃣ Convenience Stores, Don Quijote
“No place to eat on January 1st?” Attack convenience store premium bento boxes or 24-hour Don Quijote.

👉 Japan Convenience Store Shopping List Fail-Proof BEST 10

👉 Japan Don Quijote Discount Coupons & Shopping List

6️⃣ Tokyo Station Ichibangai (Character Street/Ramen Street/Okashi Land)
Tokyo Station shopping street is open on January 1st! However, most stores close sharply at 6:00 PM (18:00). Especially for Ramen Street, each store has different closing days, so checking detailed schedules is essential.

👉 2026 Tokyo Station Character & Ramen Street Year-End Business Hours Complete Guide

4. Tokyo Observatory Year-End Operating Hours

① Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Free Observatory

👉 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Free Observatory Light Show Times & Access

② Shibuya Sky

👉 Shibuya Sky Complete Course from Reservations to Shopping & Restaurants

③ Roppongi Hills Observatory (Tokyo City View)

👉 Tokyo Skytree Reservation Discounts, Tembo Deck vs Galleria Comparison

5. Tokyo Outlets New Year Sale (Open on 1/1!)

If department stores are closed on January 1st and you want to shop, outlets are the answer.

■ Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu 📍 Google Maps

• 1/1 Open (9:00 ~ 20:00)

👉 Tokyo Outlet Recommendation, Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu Discount Coupons, Brands, Access

■ Gotemba Premium Outlets 📍Google Maps

• 1/1 Open (9:00 ~ 20:00)
• Popular for Mt. Fuji views!

■ Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari 📍Google Maps

• 1/1 Open (9:00 ~ 20:00)

■ Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama Bayside 📍Google Maps

• 1/1 Open (9:00 ~ 20:00)

🚇 6. Year-End Train & Shinkansen Operation Information

🚆 Shinkansen (Not Recommended)
December 28 ~ January 5 is Japan’s biggest ‘homecoming rush’ period. Reserved seats are sold out, unreserved seats are at boarding impossible levels, so it’s best to avoid intercity travel.

🚃 Trains (Late-Night Extended Service)
From the night of December 31st to the early morning of January 1st, major JR lines operate all-night service (24 hours). (However, train intervals are 15~30 minutes)

• Yamanote Line 1:00~5:00 (approx. 15-minute intervals)
• Keihin-Tohoku Line 1:00~4:00 (approx. 30-minute intervals)
• Chuo Line (Rapid/Local) 0:304:30 (approx. 3060-minute intervals)

⛔ Warning: Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and private railways do not operate all-night service, so plan your routes around JR.

📝 Summary & 3-Line Strategy

• January 1st: Don’t go to department stores. Go to Odaiba, Skytree, or outlets.
• January 2nd: Go to Shinjuku Isetan or Ginza Mitsukoshi and join the ‘Hatsuuri’ battle.
• Accommodation: Hotels near department stores or JR station areas where you can drop off luggage on the evening of January 1st and rush out on the morning of the 2nd are best.

👇 Strategic Accommodation for Opening Rush Success

➡️ Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel Recommendations BEST 10 | Value, Large Baths, Family Travel Complete Comparison