Japan is a country rich in traditions and picturesque views, especially in Tokyo, where spectacular snow festivals take place on the streets. Hotels in Tokyo, in particular, display great Christmas illuminations during this season of the year. All of them offer special food to their guests and many seasonal activities to enjoy beyond New Year’s Day.
Among the hotels to choose from, you can find the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Park Hyatt Tokyo, Dai-Ichi Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, Radisson Miyako Tokyo, and the Royal Park Hotel, just to name a few of the most popular during the winter holidays. One of the best valued hotels is the Tokyo Dome Hotel which has rooms offering impressive views of the city lights starting from the 23rd floor and above. Perhaps the best value you can pay for lodging.
Close in culture and geographical location, Tokyo celebrates the Chinese New Year with a special flavor. Long time rivals, China and Japan tried to stay away from each other in traditions, customs, and habits, but as the world has evolved both countries have to accept the social phenomenon that predominates around the world. Not only is Chinese New Year held in Tokyo’s hotels, homes, and public venues, but also our traditional Christmas and New Year days. Because Japan is a nation open to tourist from around the world, they want to make people feel at home.
The government is also aware of the cultural changes and is proud to offer eight giant Christmas trees for the delight of locals, domestic, and international visitors to Tokyo. This exhibit is part of the Festival of lights running from December 13 to December 25 each year. Tokyo is also spiritual, and outside the shopping and downtown scenery, visitors are invited to the Taoists temples nearby. On the other hand, you can join diverse events, dinners and shows hosted at hotels, or many other activities celebrated only during this day.
On New Year’s Day, enjoy the special opening of the Imperial Palace Grounds, and the traditional Dezomeshiki” parade, including acrobatic stunts performed by Tokyo’s firemen. Since Chinese New Year is also part of the celebrations the stuntmen perform Dragon Dances as well. Pay a visit to the Marunouchi Nakadori Street, where shops and fashion buildings are located and all the trees on the streets are decorated with literally millions of Christmas lights.
During New Year’s you can also be a witness of an interesting attraction, which is traditional in Japan, called the “Watch-night bell”, when the night bell is stroked 108 times at all temples all over the country on New Year’s eve. Japanese traditions speaks of 108 desires that need to be gotten rid of men during the last night of the year, hence a ritual is performed by citizens who want the New Year to bring happiness and wealth.
Fireworks, just like any other country, will symbolize the closing of another eventful year. Thousands of Japanese and tourists gather in the streets of Tokyo counting down to the final seconds awaiting another surprise package of fiery lighting display.