Tokyo Midtown’s annual New Year’s celebration features a number of fun events to start 2024. The first 800 visitors who drop by on January 2 between 10.45am and 12noon will get a free cup of sake from Tokyo Midtown’s Canopy Square.
What’s more, a regular feature of the occasion is the lion dance, a special performance with flute and drum accompaniment to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. The dancers are scheduled to parade through Midtown Galleria on January 2 and January 3 at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4.30pm.
When you’re already there, make sure to line up at 11am on January 2 and January 3 for a beautiful handwritten New Year’s card. Calligraphy artists Shingi Ban, Meiho Ishikawa and Dousi Hirose will decorate each card with up to two Japanese kanji characters of your choice, so make sure to browse the dictionary before heading over. The event takes place on the second floor of Tokyo Midtown’s Galleria and only the first 700 people will be able to get their hands on a free card.
Visiting with kids in tow? Head straight to the workshop area at Tokyo Midtown’s Galleria basement Atrium between 11am and 5pm on January 2 and January 3. The little ones can paint daruma tumbling dolls (¥1,000; Reservations required via Peatix), craft small kites (¥500) and play target shooting games (¥300).