Are shops and restaurants closed during Japanese New Year?

Learn which businesses usually close over the Japanese New Year holiday, what tends to stay open, and how to plan meals, shopping and sightseeing around shogatsu.

Published October 21, 2026 at 7:46 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Many shops, restaurants and attractions close for several days around the New Year, commonly from about December 29 or 30 to January 3. Convenience stores, some chain restaurants, big stations and busy shrines usually stay open, but hours change. Check each business in advance, stock up on snacks and plan flexible sightseeing.

Why Japan closes for New Year

Shogatsu, the Japanese New Year, is the most important family holiday of the year. Although January 1 is the official date, the celebration runs over several days, and Wikipedia notes that most stores historically closed for the holidays. Families gather, eat special dishes, and visit shrines and temples. Because so many staff want time with family, businesses of every size take a break.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) states that many businesses close for several days around the New Year and that most restaurants and attractions close during the holidays, so advance planning is advised. It does not give fixed dates, because practice varies by company, region and year. Roughly December 29 to January 3 is the period most often quoted, but some places close earlier or reopen later.

For a visitor, the practical lesson is to treat the whole stretch from late December to the first week of January as unpredictable. A restaurant that is normally open every day may close for six days, while a nearby shop may open only on January 1 to serve shrine visitors. Looking at each business's own page is the only reliable way to know.

What usually closes

Offices, factories and government services are usually closed for the holiday, and post office counters and bank branches often close too, although ATMs may still work. Many independent restaurants, small shops, museums and some tourist attractions close for several days or open for only a short window. Local markets and traditional shopping streets are often shuttered, and some ryokan and hotel restaurants offer limited menus.

Trains and buses may run on holiday schedules with fewer departures, and some local services stop. Mail delivery often slows, and parcel companies may pause regular service. Because exact schedules vary, check the operator or business website, and look for notices on shop doors posted in the weeks before. Hotels often put holiday closure details on their pages, so confirm what is open before arrival.

What usually stays open

Convenience stores and some chain restaurants and discount stores stay open around the clock, including on national holidays, according to JNTO. Large train stations, airports and many hotels continue to operate, and department stores and shopping malls often reopen within the first few days of January with special sales. Some restaurants, particularly in tourist areas and large cities, deliberately open to serve visitors.

Shrines and temples are busy during this period. Many people make a first visit of the year called hatsumode, with major sites such as Meiji-jingu in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Heian-jingu in Kyoto and Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka attracting large crowds. Temples ring bells 108 times at midnight on December 31 in a ritual known as Joya no Kane. Food stalls are often set up near major shrines.

Food during the holiday

New Year has its own foods. Osechi-ryori is a set of traditional dishes, many sweet, sour or dried so they keep without refrigeration, which is partly why cooking can pause at home. Ozoni is a soup with rice cake, and toshikoshi soba, buckwheat noodles, is commonly eaten on New Year's Eve. Rice cake, mochi, is prepared before the holiday and eaten in early January.

For visitors, this means that dining out can be harder to arrange than usual. Some hotels offer special New Year meals that need advance booking. Convenience stores and supermarkets, where open, sell holiday foods, and department store food halls often reopen early in January. Stock up on snacks and water the day before, and consider booking a hotel breakfast or a dinner reservation in advance.

Planning for different travelers

Families with children, older travelers and anyone with dietary needs should plan meals more carefully. Choose accommodation with meal options or a kitchen, and keep emergency snacks. Travelers who prefer quiet may enjoy city parks, onsen and rural inns, though some may also close. Solo travelers can often find open eateries near large stations, but reservations are wise.

Those who want to experience New Year culture may enjoy it: shrine visits, bell ringing, special decorations such as kagami mochi, and the calm of quiet city streets. Flights and trains around the start and end of the holiday are busy as people travel to hometowns, so reserve seats early. Another option is to travel to a place where winter activities such as skiing or onsen are the main attraction.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is arriving on December 30 or January 2 and assuming normal opening hours. Another is planning a visit to a small museum, market or famous restaurant without confirming whether it is closed. A third is leaving shopping, laundry or cash withdrawal until the last minute. Gift shops and souvenir stores may also be shut. Coin lockers at major stations can fill up quickly, so luggage plans deserve a backup.

Visitors also sometimes mix up the holiday with Golden Week or Obon, which have different timings and effects. New Year closures are generally longer for local businesses. Mail also behaves differently: nengajo, New Year postcards, are specially marked so that the post office guarantees delivery on January 1 when mailed in the designated window. Postal services and parcels, however, can be delayed. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Planning tips and next steps

Check the websites of hotels, restaurants and attractions several weeks ahead, and save screenshots of opening notices. Reserve train seats and key meals, withdraw cash before December 28, and pack snacks. Plan sightseeing around places that stay open, such as shrines, temples, large stations, parks and some museums that make special New Year openings.

Allow extra time at busy shrines, dress warmly because it is winter, and keep a flexible schedule. If a place is closed, nearby convenience stores, station malls and hotels often provide alternatives. With preparation, the holiday can be an enjoyable and atmospheric time to see local traditions, and the quiet streets give Japanese cities a very different feeling from the rest of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are convenience stores open on January 1 in Japan?

Usually yes. JNTO notes that convenience stores and some chain restaurants and discount stores operate around the clock, including national holidays. Hours may be shortened at some branches, and shelves can run low. Buy essentials early, and check store signs for holiday hours.

Do trains run on New Year's Day?

Yes, but often on reduced or special holiday schedules, and some lines stop. Many railways run extra late-night services for shrine visits on New Year's Eve, though details vary. Check the operator's English page for current timetables and plan reserved seats early.

When do shops reopen after New Year?

Practices vary, but many department stores and shopping centers reopen around January 2 to 4, often with sales, while smaller shops and restaurants may return later. Check each business before visiting. Official notices are usually posted on websites and doors.

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