There are many exciting countdown events held in Japan. Here is a list of some of New Year's Eve events.
1. Zojoji Temple Countdown
Photo by Junko Kimura / Getty Images
Place: Zojoji Temple 4-7-35 Shibakoen Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: Tokyo Subway Shibakoen or Onarimon Stations
Event: Visitors fly about 3,000 baloons, praying happiness and peace.
Time: 20:30 handing out of papers for writing wishes
22:30 handing out of baloons
23:30 New Year's Eve ceremony
23:59 Countdown for the new year
Access: Tokyo Subway Shibakoen or Onarimon Stations
Event: Visitors fly about 3,000 baloons, praying happiness and peace.
Time: 20:30 handing out of papers for writing wishes
22:30 handing out of baloons
23:30 New Year's Eve ceremony
23:59 Countdown for the new year
2. Universal Countdown Party 2009
Place: Universal Studios Japan, OsakaTime: 7 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2008 - 2 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2009
Events: special shows, surprises at attractions, fireworks, live music, and more.
Tickets: Party Pass 7,900 yen (age 4 - ) *Tickets need to be purchased in advance.<
3. Huis Ten Bosch Countdown
Place: Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo-city, NagasakiTime: 9 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2008 - 2 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2009
Events: Fireworks and live music performances.
Advanced Tickets: 5,400 yen (Adult)/ 4,300 yen (junior/high school students) / 3,300 yen (elementary school students and children age over 4)
4. Laguna New Year's Count Down 2009
Place: Laguna GamagoriAddress: 2-1 Kaiyo-cho Gamagori-city, Aichi
Access: Take a bus for Laguna Gamagori from JR Gamagori Station
Phone: 0533-58-2700
Time: 18:00-25:00 on Dec. 31, 2009
Tickets: Advanced tickets 4,300 yen
ZIP-FM broadcasts music performances live from the special stage.
5. Nagashima Countdown and New Year's Party
Place: Nagashima Spa Land 333 Urayasu Nagashima Kuwana-city, Mie prefectureTime: 8 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2008 - 5 a.m. on Jan. 1 , 2009 Tickets: 4,500 yen (adults), 3,400 yen (elementary and middle school students), 1,400 yen (age 3 -)
Events: Live music, fireworks, countdown, and more.
Nagashima Spa Land is an amusement park. You can enjoy all the attractions and onsen facilities.
6. Happy Island Countdown '09
Place: Hakkeijima Sea ParadiseTime: 7 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2008 - 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2009
Events: Night dolphin show, fireworks, comedy shows, and more.
Tickets: 3,500 yen (age 4 - )
7. The Garden Hall Countdown Party!!! Bring in the New Year
Place: The Garden Hall/Room Ebisu, TokyoTime: Performance starts at 19:30 on Dec. 31, 2008 - all night.
Events: live music and DJ performances.
Advanced Tickets: 6,500 yen
8. Countdown Japan / Countdown Japan - West -
Music festivals held in Chiba and OsakaPlace: Makuhari Messe, Chiba
Time and Ticket:
13:00-21:30 on Dec. 28&29&30, 2008 / 9,000 yen
13:00-29:30 on Dec. 31, 2008 / 8,500 yen
Place: Intex Osaka
Times and Ticket:
11:20-21:30 on Dec. 29 and 30, 2008 / 8,500 yen/day
13:00-24:30 on Dec. 31, 2008 / 9,000 yen
9. Shima Spain Village Countdown Fiesta
Place: Shima Spain Village Shima-city, Mie prefecture Time: 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 - around midnightTickets: 2-day Pass (Dec. 31 and Jan.1) 5,500 yen (age 4 - )
It's a large comedy show by lots of Yoshimoto's comedians.
10. Tokyo Disneyland Countdown Party / Tokyo DisneySea New Year's Eve Celebration
Places: Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySeaEvents: Special shows, parades, and fireworks.
Time: 20:00 on December 31, 2008 - 2:00 on Jan. 1 , 2009
Tickets: Passport 15,000 yen
You must purchase the tickets in advance. The application period ended on September 26th this year. Please contact Japanese travel agencies for the tickets.
