Hatsuhinode: First Sunrise of the Year

Hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of January 1, is a cherished Japanese New Year ritual; here is how to enjoy it from beaches, peaks and city decks.

Published October 15, 2026 at 11:34 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Hatsuhinode is the Japanese tradition of watching the first sunrise of the year on January 1, widely seen as a way to welcome good luck. It is free and needs only an open eastern view, so beaches, hilltops and parks are popular. Arrive an hour early and dress warmly.

Few moments in Japan feel as hopeful as the quiet minutes before the sun climbs over the horizon on the morning of January 1. This is hatsuhinode (初日の出), the first sunrise of the year, and for many people it is the real start of the new year. Families bundle up, friends gather on beaches and hilltops, and strangers stand shoulder to shoulder in the cold, all facing east and waiting for the light. In this guide we will look at where the custom comes from, what makes it special, the kinds of places where people like to watch, and how to plan a comfortable, memorable sunrise morning of your own.

What Hatsuhinode Means

The word breaks down simply: hatsu means "first" and hinode means "sunrise." Watching the first sunrise of the year is a New Year tradition that is widely seen as a way to welcome good luck, and many people use the moment to quietly make a wish or set an intention for the months ahead. There is no formal ceremony and no ticket required, which is part of the charm. All you need is a clear view toward the east and a willingness to get up very early.

The sun itself carries special meaning in Japan. The country is often poetically called the land of the rising sun, and the national flag features a bold red disc. Greeting the sun on the first day of the year therefore feels like a natural fit for a culture that pays close attention to the turning of the seasons. Many people say the experience puts them in a calm, grateful mood, a gentle reset before the busy year begins.

A Tradition Rooted in New Year Customs

Hatsuhinode sits alongside a whole family of New Year customs. Japanese poetry has long had a seasonal vocabulary, and the "first sun" (hatsuhi) is one of the images that appears in New Year haiku. According to the English Wikipedia article on the Japanese New Year, haiku about the year's "firsts" often mention the first sunrise, which shows how deeply the idea is woven into the way people describe the season.

The same celebration brings a table of special foods and a series of small rituals. Osechi is the set of dishes arranged in tiered boxes, many of them prepared so they keep well over the holiday. Ozoni, a soup with mochi rice cake, is a New Year morning favorite in many homes, and toshikoshi soba is eaten on New Year's Eve. Temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight, and families send New Year cards that are timed to arrive on January 1. A sunrise outing fits naturally into this rhythm: stay up for the bells, watch the sun come up, then head home for a warm bowl of soup.

Where People Go to Watch the Sunrise

Almost any spot with an open eastern view can work, and different kinds of places offer different moods. Beaches are a classic choice because the sun appears directly out of the sea. In Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, Cape Inubosaki in Choshi sits at the eastern tip of the Kanto region and is described by the prefecture as a popular place to see one of Japan's earliest sunrises, and Maebara-Yokosuka Beach in Kamogawa is another favorite. Inland, Kanozan Kujukutani Observation Park in Kimitsu offers a different picture, with the sun rising above the rolling Kazusa Hills.

In the Tokyo area, popular viewpoints include the ship-shaped Osanbashi pier in Yokohama and Miura Beach in Kanagawa, where the sun rises over the Boso Peninsula across Tokyo Bay. Kasai Rinkai Park, a short train ride from central Tokyo, is another well-known choice. Mount Takao, about fifty minutes by train from Shinjuku, lets you combine a mountain sunrise with a visit to Yakuoin Temple. Tall buildings and observation decks also hold special New Year sunrise events in some years, but these tend to sell out quickly, so check the official announcements well ahead of time if that appeals to you.

Planning Your Sunrise Morning

The first rule is to check the sunrise time for your exact location a few days beforehand. In the Tokyo area the sun comes up at roughly 6:50 in the morning on January 1, and places farther east see it a little earlier. Plan to arrive at least an hour before that time, because popular beaches and viewpoints fill up, and a good position is worth the early start. Public transport often runs special late-night and early-morning services around New Year, but schedules vary by operator, so confirm the details in advance rather than assuming normal timetables.

Dress for real winter conditions, because the hour before dawn is usually the coldest of the day. Warm layers, a hat, gloves, and comfortable shoes make a big difference, and a thermos of something hot is a wonderful comfort. Bring a small flashlight or use your phone light if you will be walking on a trail, and pack a charged phone or camera. Clouds sometimes hide the sun at the exact moment of sunrise, but many visitors find the soft colors in the sky just before and after are lovely in their own right, so it is worth staying a little longer.

Pairing Sunrise With Hatsumode and Home Celebrations

Many people pair hatsuhinode with hatsumode (初詣), the first visit of the year to a shrine or temple, which is usually made in the first few days of January. At a shrine, visitors make wishes for the year ahead, buy new omamori charms, and draw omikuji fortune slips. Large and famous shrines can be very crowded at New Year, so a flexible mindset and a bit of patience go a long way. The custom of hatsumode in its current popular form is believed to be fairly recent, and railway companies helped to popularize it in the Meiji era by promoting special New Year trips.

A sunrise outing also combines nicely with a visit to a scenic temple on a mountain, such as Yakuoin on Mount Takao, where the sunrise view and the first temple visit can share one morning. Afterward, head home or to a cozy cafe for a hearty breakfast. If you are staying in a ryokan or hotel, ask whether they offer special New Year breakfast or osechi, which is a delicious way to taste the season. Taking your time is the goal: this is a holiday about renewal, not about rushing.

Quick Takeaways

Hatsuhinode is a simple, free, and deeply Japanese way to start the year: you choose a place with an open eastern view, arrive early, dress warmly, and watch the first light of January 1 arrive. Beaches, mountain trails, city parks, and a few observation decks all make wonderful stages, so pick the one that fits your energy and your travel plans. Check sunrise times, transport schedules, and any special events ahead of time, because everything around New Year is busy.

Most of all, remember that the point is the shared moment. Whether the sun appears in a blaze of orange or as a soft glow behind a bank of clouds, standing quietly with others in the cold and greeting the new year together is a memory many people treasure. If you are in Japan at the turn of the year, setting an alarm for this small tradition is a lovely way to join in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hatsuhinode in Japan?

Hatsuhinode is the first sunrise of the year on January 1. The word combines hatsu, meaning first, and hinode, meaning sunrise. Watching it is a New Year tradition widely seen as a way to welcome good luck, and many people quietly make a wish for the year ahead.

Where can you watch hatsuhinode near Tokyo?

Popular hatsuhinode viewpoints near Tokyo include Osanbashi pier in Yokohama, Miura Beach in Kanagawa, Kasai Rinkai Park and Mount Takao. In Chiba, Cape Inubosaki in Choshi sits at the eastern tip of the Kanto region and is described as a popular place to see one of Japan's earliest sunrises.

How should you prepare for hatsuhinode?

For hatsuhinode, check the sunrise time for your location, which is roughly 6:50 in the morning in the Tokyo area on January 1. Arrive at least an hour early, wear warm layers, a hat and gloves, and confirm New Year transport schedules in advance rather than assuming normal timetables.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Osechi: Japan's New Year Feast, Kagami Mochi and Toshikoshi Soba: New Year Traditions, Observation Decks in Japan.