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Enjoy the New Year in Nagoya Feature 2021-2022

2021-2022 Year-end and New Year Holiday Special Feature





An abundance of fun, must-see New Year's events during the year-end and new year holiday like the tolling of temple bells, the first visit of the year to a shrine or temple, and special new year events. Have a wonderful time bringing in the new year in Nagoya with family and friends.

*Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), event contents are subject to change. Please confirm the latest information using the official websites or other sources before heading out.
*Please thoroughly cooperate with anti-infection measures when attending events.

Night Bells

Yagotosan Koshoji Temple Tolling of Temple Bells

Reception starts in order of arrival from 11:00 PM on Friday, December 31, 2021
100 yen (includes gomagi, a ritual wooden stick for writing down your wishes)

*The 2021 Tolling of Temple Bells will be carried out by temple monks only. Visitor participation has been postponed.
>> Notice about the Postponement of "Joya no Kane" Visitor Participation (December 19, 2021) (Japanese)


In Japan, the tolling of bells on New Year's Eve is done in what is called Joya no Kane. The bells are struck 108 times. It is said that within people dwell 108 worldly temptations (responsible for deceiving people's hearts and causing suffering in them), and the bells are rung to expel those temptations.

>>Yagotosan Koshoji Temple Official Website
>>Spot Details

Osu Kannon Temple: 1,000 yen (includes fuku mochi)
 Numbered Tickets: Sold from Saturday, December 18, 2021 to the first 108 people
 *Subject to change or cancellation depending on the circumstances.

 >>Spot Details


Kenchuji Temple: 100 yen
 Numbered Tickets: Sold on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 9:00 AM for 108 strikes
 >> Spot Details
 >> Spot Details


Arako Kannon Temple: 500 yen (includes an omamori good luck amulet)
 >> Spot Details
 >> Spot Details


Kasadera Kannon: 300 yen
 >> Spot Details
 >> Spot Details


Ryusenji: 10 yen
 >> Spot Details
 >> Spot Details

First Visit of the Year to a Shrine or Temple

Visiting a shrine or temple for a prosperous new year

Date and time: January
Location: Temples, shrines, etc.
Admission fee: Free
Japan has a custom, known as "hatsumoude," where people visit temples and shrines in the beginning of the new year. People pray to ensure that the new year will be a good one.

Atsuta Shrine

Atsuta Shrine

◆Saitan Sai
Saturday (national holiday), January 1, 2022 from 5:00 AM
◆Genshi Sai
Monday, January 3 from 7:00 AM
◆Hatsu-Ebisu
Wednesday, January 5 from 12:00 AM
◆Yodameshi Shinji
Friday, January 7 from 2:00 PM
◆Touka Shinji
Tuesday, January 11 from 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
◆Fusui-Yodameshi Shinji
Wednesday, January 12 from 12:00 PM
◆Honsha Shinji
Saturday, January 15 from 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
 A ritual which involves shooting 36 arrows to pray for a fruitful year and ward off calamities.
◆New Year's visit within the shrine grounds
First period: Saturday (national holiday), January 1-Wednesday, January 5
Second period: Saturday, January 8-Monday (national holiday), January 10

>> Atsuta Shrine Official Website
>> Spot Details

Osu Kannon Temple

Osu Kannon Temple

◆New Year’s goma fire ritual and tolling of temple bells
Saturday (national holiday), January 1, 2021 from midnight

◆New Year’s good fortune goma prayer meeting (please inquire for details)
Saturday (national holiday), January 1-Monday, January 3 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

◆Fire festival to burn New Year’s decorations
Monday (national holiday), January 10 from 2:30 PM
Rituals and burning of New Year’s decorations at a special platform within the temple grounds.
Admission fee: 1,000 yen for one wooden goma stick

*Subject to change depending on the circumstances.

>> Spot Details

Other Major Shrines and Temples in Nagoya
Yagotosan Koshoji Temple
 ◆New Year’s goma fire ritual
  Saturday (national holiday), January 1-Tuesday, January 4, 2022


Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine
 ◆Saitan Sai
  Saturday (national holiday), January 1, 2022 from 10:00 AM
 ◆Hatsu-Ebisu
  Wednesday, January 5 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
 >> Spot Details
 >> Spot Details


Ueno Tenmangu Shrine
 ◆Sagicho Sai
  Saturday, January 15, 2022
 ◆Hatsutenjin Sai
  Tuesday, January 25
 *Wooden Usodori good luck charms offered both days

New Year's Events

Photo provided by the Nagoya Castle Administration

Opening of Nagoya Castle's Gates in the New Year

Nagoya Castle's Gates open for the first time in the new year. Special traditional entertainment known as Owari Manzai welcomes visitors.

Date: Saturday (national holiday), January 1, 2022 from 9:00 AM
Location: Nagoya Castle
Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, free for junior high school students and younger
>> Nagoya Castle Official Website
>> Spot Details

Matsu wo Kotobuku, New Year's at Tokugawaen

Special events to celebrate the new year will be held.

Date: Sunday, December 12, 2021-Thursday, January 13, 2022
9:30 AM-5:30 PM (open until 5:00 PM)
Location: Tokugawaen
Holiday: Wednesday, December 29, 2021-Saturday, January 1, 2022
Admission fee: 300 yen for adults, free for junior high school students and younger

≪Kan wo Asobu, Tokugawaen's Winter Peonies≫
The winter peonies display is a traditional winter sight. 70 flower pots in 20 different varieties decorate the New Year in white, red, yellow, and pink.
Date: Sunday, January 2-Sunday, February 20, 2022

>> Tokugawaen Official Website
>>Spot Details

New Year's at Shirotori Garden

This year, two kinds of structures that protect trees from heavy snow known as "yukitsuri" decorate Shirotori Garden: the traditional method of "ringotsuri" and the more decorative style of "soushokutsuri."
In addition, an exhibition of Obara Japanese paper handicrafts and a Kimono Photo Service will be held.

Date: Saturday, January 8-Monday (national holiday), January 10, 2022 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (admission until 4:30 PM)
Location: Shirotori Garden
Admission fee: 300 yen for adults, free for junior high school students and younger
*Free admission for those who arrive wearing kimono.

>> Shirotori Garden Official Website
>> Spot Details

Kakizome and New Year's Special Tea Ceremony

Make your way to Yagotosan Koshoji Temple for the first visit of the New Year and acknowledge a fresh start with the Japanese tradition of "kakizome," the first calligraphy of the new year, or refresh your mind while enjoying matcha green tea and New Year's sweets.

Date: Saturday (national holiday), January 1-Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Location: Yagotosan Koshoji Temple
Admission fee:
 Kakizome: 500 yen (free for those in high school and younger) *Fixed number of seats available, continuing until January 4
 Special Tea Ceremony: 500 yen *Held at Fumon Garden, prior reservations required

>> Yagotosan Koshoji Temple Official Website
>> Spot Details

Events Connected to the Chinese Zodiac

New Year's Events at Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

An Animal Talk and other events are held on the 2nd and 3rd with the theme of the tiger--this year's animal on the Chinese zodiac.

Date: Sunday, January 2 and Monday, January 3, 2021
Time: 9:00 AM-4:50 PM (open until 4:30 PM)
*Partially cancelled in the case of rain
Location: Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, free for junior high school students and younger

>> Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens Official Website
>> Spot Details

2022 Chinese Zodiac Exhibit An Amphibian That Resembles a Tiger

The Chinese Zodiac Exhibit puts a spotlight on a living creature connected with this year's Chinese zodiac animal.
Since the Chinese zodiac in 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, a barred tiger salamander with a tiger pattern will be on exhibit.

Exhibit Period: Tuesday, December 7, 2021-Sunday, January 16, 2022
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM-5:00 PM (admission until 4:00 PM)
Location: Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium South Building 2F Entrance
Admission fee: 2,030 yen for adults, 1,010 yen for elementary/junior high school students, 500 yen for children (ages 4 and older)

>> Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium Official Website
>> Spot Details

《Cancelled Event》

The event below has been cancelled in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

2022 Nagoya Dezomeshiki Firefighting Ceremony and Drills

Cancelled in 2022.
>>About the Cancellation of the 2022 Nagoya Dezomeshiki Firefighting Ceremony and Drills (City of Nagoya) (Japanese)


<2019 Event Contents>
Location: Port of Nagoya Garden Pier
A impressive, comprehensive firefighting drill is performed, featuring all the firefighting equipment for ground, sea, and air. A display of fire engines and events aimed at kids are also held.

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