Looking for something to do over the New Year’s holidays? Head to Tokyo Skytree Town to catch a 20-minute Shishimai lion dance performance on January 1. The show takes place on Tokyo Skytree’s observation deck at 9am, and at Solamachi Hiroba plaza at 10am, 11am and 12noon. Afterwards at 1pm, Japanese owarai comedians will be performing and handing out free sake to visitors until supplies last.
Another popular New Year tradition in Japan is the kakizome, the act of writing the first calligraphy of the new year. You can see it done live on January 2 and January 3 at 1pm at Solamachi Hiroba plaza, conducted by calligrapher Mohri Suzuki.
Stick around the East Yard on the third floor to participate in a free 20-minute caligraphy workshop led by Mohri Suzuki himself. It's held at 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm and 6pm on January 2 and January 3.