Top things to do on New Years' Eve in Tokyo
Japan shuts down during the first week of the new year, so New Years' Eve is your last chance to party properly. It is also a way to drown out the last sorrows of 2009 and welcome in 2010. Here are a few ways to make your evening memorable.
"Countdown Parties" are an old standby for those who want to ring in the new year very loudly with lots of strangers. There is the Countdown Japan 09/10 concert at Makuhari Messe (¥10,000), featuring performances from hit musical acts MONGOL800 and Superfly. There is also a cat-and-food themed party at Namco Namja Town (entrance ¥300).
Club events are good for the young and the techno-friendly. All the major parties on the 31st are listed on Clubberia's special New Years Eve list.
Out at Saitama Super Arena, spend the night watching modern day martial arts at the FieLDS Dynamite!! K-1 tournament (seats from ¥4,000).
Once the clock strikes midnight, head to your local shrine or temple to start off things on the right spiritual foot. Two famous locations for New Years festivities include Meiji Shrine in Harajuku and Narita-san out near Narita Airport.
For those who want to see 2010's first sunrise in style, hike up Mt Takao. Just make sure that you bring proper clothes. 2010 will hopefully not be the year of hypothermia.
