Tokyo is buzzing this week, so if you’re in town and wondering what to do, you’re in for a treat.
Let’s start with live music today. Japan Concert Tickets reports that idol group Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu is throwing their Cho Tokimeki Stage 2026 Happy New Year’s Party at NHK Hall in Shibuya this afternoon, with doors in the late afternoon and a full-on, glow-stick, call-and-response J pop experience. Over at Nippon Budokan, also today, Hiroji Miyamoto is performing a mix of alternative rock, folk, and pop rock, turning the legendary Budokan into an intimate, emotional sing along, according to Japan Concert Tickets. If you’re in the mood for smoother R&B flavoured J pop, NOA is on stage this evening at Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall in Ikebukuro, bringing a more laid back but very modern sound, again listed by Japan Concert Tickets.
If you’re curious about traditional culture and want something more hands on, Iwafu highlights a Japanese instrument open practice called Ayane running this afternoon in Tokyo. It’s a free in and out style session where you can see and even try traditional instruments over several hours, a great way to step out of the city rush and into the sound of old Japan.
Looking to plan out the rest of the long holiday weekend and coming week, you’ll feel the New Year energy all over the city. Japan Today explains that this is the Coming of Age Day long weekend, when 20 year olds dress in gorgeous kimono and suits and head to ceremonies across Tokyo, so you’ll spot crowds of young adults in full formalwear around ward halls and shrines, especially on Monday. It’s not a single event you buy a ticket to, but it’s a beautiful atmosphere to witness if you stroll through Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Asakusa.
For ongoing winter fun, Savvy Tokyo highlights several seasonal attractions running through January. Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi has an outdoor ice skating rink where you can glide under the city lights, rent skates on site, and then warm up with coffee or hot chocolate nearby. Over in Odaiba, the Naked Snow Aquarium transforms the space into a digital winter wonderland, blending sea life with immersive light projections. Savvy Tokyo also points listeners to the Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination, where you can wander free light displays, grab street snacks, and maybe hop on a ride, making it a perfect low pressure evening plan any day this week.
If you want a quick way to fill the rest of your schedule, My Guide Tokyo and Japan Travel both keep running lists of January events in Tokyo, including pop up festivals, tours, and cultural experiences, so you can mix big ticket concerts with more spontaneous discoveries.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s happening in Tokyo. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI