Tokyo's Shibuya New Year Countdown 2025 Cancelled

Overview

In this timely video, John Daub breaks the news that Shibuya Ward has officially cancelled the 2025 New Year's countdown celebration at the famous Hachiko Scramble Crossing. Recorded a couple of days after the announcement, John provides context on how this suspension actually began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has now become permanent. The video explores the history of the scramble countdown (which ran only from 2016-2019), the safety concerns behind the decision, and most importantly, offers viewers excellent alternatives for experiencing a Japanese New Year authentically.

John makes a compelling case for embracing traditional Japanese shogatsu (New Year holiday) customs rather than seeking Western-style street parties. He emphasizes that the real magic of New Year's in Japan lies in temple visits, where Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to cleanse devotees of earthly temptations before the new year begins. Rather than being disappointed by the cancellation, viewers are encouraged to consider this an opportunity to experience something genuinely cultural and meaningful.

Highlights

• 00:01 John confirms Shibuya Ward has cancelled the 2025 countdown at Hachiko Scramble, explaining this follows the suspension that began during COVID-19
• 00:32 Archival photos from 2019-2020 show the incredible crowds—over 100,000 people packed into the scramble with Coca-Cola sponsorship
• 01:04 John reveals he predicted this cancellation would happen, noting Halloween events were also suspended this year
• 01:36 First recommendation: Visit temples and shrines for the cultural experience—specifically mentions Senso-ji in Asakusa
• 02:07 Second recommendation: Shiba Park, which was the original countdown location featured on international news before Hachiko
• 02:38 Third recommendation: Tokyo Skytree or rooftop restaurants holding private New Year's events with champagne
• 03:19 John reads from Timeout article describing the event as "chaos" with over 100,000 people—"not comfortable, not Times Square"
• 03:56 Context: Shibuya and Shinjuku wards cracked down on public drinking and rowdy behavior over Halloween
• 04:30 History: Shibuya countdown started in 2016, peaked at 120,000 attendees in 2018
• 06:35 John expresses support for the cancellation, citing unnecessary police overtime and cleanup costs
• 07:39 Personal story: John recounts his first Japanese New Year in 1998-1999 when he left for Bangkok to find a countdown party
• 08:10 John explains the traditional Japanese approach: families watch NHK at home, then go to local temples for morning prayers
• 08:46 Final pitch: Asakusa offers more space, street food, cultural experiences, and photo opportunities with locals

Timeline / Chapters

• 00:01–00:31 — Opening: John announces the Shibuya countdown cancellation and shows archival photos from 2019-2020
• 00:32–01:03 — Historical context: Photos of the crowded scramble, Coca-Cola sponsorship, John notes Halloween events were also cancelled
• 01:04–01:35 — John's prediction: Says the cancellation was predictable and offers his first recommendation (temples and shrines)
• 01:36–02:06 — Recommendation #1: Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, bell ringing, morning prayers, first prayer of the year (hatsumode)
• 02:07–02:37 — Recommendation #2: Shiba Park as the original countdown location before Hachiko, with Tokyo Tower
• 02:38–03:18 — Recommendation #3: Tokyo Skytree and rooftop restaurant parties with champagne dinners
• 03:19–03:55 — Media coverage: Reading from Timeout article describing the event as chaotic, over 100,000 people
• 03:56–04:29 — Ward crackdown: Shibuya and Shinjuku's stance on rowdy behavior and public drinking
• 04:30–05:00 — Event history: Countdown started in 2016, peaked at 120,000 in 2018, suspended since COVID
• 05:01–05:33 — Sources: Asahi Shimbun reporting, mention of Tokyo Cheapo and Timeout as resources
• 05:34–06:33 — John's analysis: The event was never a traditional Japanese celebration; local businesses still hold private countdown events
• 06:35–07:05 — John's opinion: Supports the cancellation, cites safety, costs, and resident opposition
• 07:06–07:38 — Call to action: Invites viewer opinions on whether this is a lost opportunity
• 07:39–08:09 — Personal history: John's early New Year's experiences outside Japan, then returning to find no countdown culture
• 08:10–08:45 — Traditional Japanese New Year: NHK viewing, temple visits, hatsumode practice
• 08:46–09:31 — Final recommendation: Go to Asakusa for hatsumode, street food, space, and authentic cultural experiences

Japan Travel Tips

• How to experience New Year's in Tokyo: Visit a temple or shrine rather than seeking street parties. Senso-ji in Asakusa is John's top recommendation—there's plenty of space, food stalls, and it's more comfortable than packed streets.
• Hatsumode timing: The first prayer of the year can be done at midnight or early morning (January 1st). Local neighborhood shrines are less crowded than famous ones like Senso-ji.
• Bell ringing tradition: Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to symbolize the 108 earthly temptations one must overcome. This usually happens on New Year's Eve.
• What to expect at temples on New Year's: Food stands, crowds lining up for prayers, a festive but respectful atmosphere. Even during the pandemic, people still gathered.
• Private countdown options: Many rooftop restaurants and hotels host ticketed New Year's Eve events with dinner, champagne, and countdown celebrations. These are still happening and offer a comfortable alternative.
• The traditional approach: Japanese families typically watch NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen (New Year's Eve song show) at home, then visit the shrine in the morning. This is the cultural norm, not street parties.
• Shibuya during New Year's: While the public countdown is cancelled, bars and restaurants inside the ward will still be operating. Some may have private events you can attend.
• Resources for planning: Check Timeout and Tokyo Cheapo for updated event listings and recommendations.

Japanese Language & Culture Notes

• Shogatsu (お正月): The Japanese New Year holiday period, typically December 31 through January 3. This is one of the most important holidays in Japan, when businesses close and families gather.
• Hatsumode (初詣): The first shrine visit of the new year. Japanese people visit shrines and temples in early January to pray for good fortune. Lines form early morning and can be quite long even at local neighborhood shrines.
• Bell ringing (Joya no Kane): Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times on New Year's Eve. The number 108 represents earthly temptations or defilements in Buddhist teaching. This tradition symbolizes casting off the troubles of the old year.
• Kōhaku Uta Gassen: NHK's annual New Year's Eve song competition. While John mentions families watching NHK, this specific show is what most households tune into—it's a tradition that keeps people home on New Year's Eve rather than at street parties.
• Shibuya Ward policy context: Shibuya is one of Tokyo's 23 special wards. The ward has increasingly cracked down on public drinking and gatherings following incidents of rowdy behavior, particularly referencing concerns about antisocial conduct that gained attention through social media.
• Not a traditional event: John emphasizes that the Shibuya scramble countdown (2016-2019) was never a traditional Japanese celebration. It was introduced artificially and never had deep cultural roots.
• The Western influence: New Year's Eve countdown parties are more of a Western concept. Japanese New Year traditions center on family, reflection, purification rituals, and temple visits—not street revelry.

Food & Drink Guide

• Temple food stalls (yatai): At Senso-ji and other major shrines during the New Year period, food vendors set up stalls selling taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste), tako-yaki (octopus balls), yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), ramune (Japanese soda), and various okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). These stalls create a festive atmosphere perfect for hatsumode visits.
• Osechi ryori: Traditional New Year food arranged in stacked lacquer boxes. While not street food, this is the quintessential New Year meal Japanese families prepare or purchase. Each item has symbolic meaning (e.g., sweet black soybeans for health, shrimp for longevity).
• Champagne celebrations: For those who prefer rooftop restaurant events, champagne flows freely at ticketed New Year's Eve parties at venues like Tokyo Skytree restaurants and hotel observation decks. John mentions these as a comfortable alternative to street celebrations.

People

• John Daub: Host and narrator. Has lived in Japan for over 30 years and provides expert cultural context. He shares personal stories of celebrating New Year's outside Japan early in his Japan residence and explains how he came to appreciate Japanese New Year traditions. His stance is supportive of the cancellation, viewing it as appropriate given Japanese cultural norms.
• Timeout Magazine: Referenced as a source of information about the event cancellation, including archival photos showing what the scramble celebration looked like at its peak.
• Asahi Shimbun: Major Japanese newspaper cited as the source for official Shibuya Ward's safety concerns statement.
• Tokyo Cheapo: Recommended as a local resource for travel information in Tokyo.

Key Takeaways

1. Shibuya's 2025 countdown is officially cancelled—this is actually the fifth year of suspension following the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was never a traditional Japanese celebration, having only run from 2016-2019.

2. The cancellation is understandable given safety concerns, massive cleanup costs, excessive police overtime, and resident opposition. John supports the decision.

3. Temples and shrines offer the authentic experience. Senso-ji in Asakusa, Shiba Park near Tokyo Tower, and local shrines all provide meaningful ways to celebrate the New Year—complete with bell ringing, food stalls, and the spiritual practice of hatsumode.

4. Japanese New Year traditions prioritize family and spirituality over street revelry. Most Japanese families watch NHK on New Year's Eve and visit shrines in the morning rather than partying in the streets.

5. Private events are still happening. Rooftop restaurants, hotels, and bars will host ticketed countdown parties with champagne and dinner for those who want a celebration.

6. The scramble countdown peaked at 120,000 people in 2018 and was described by media as "chaos"—not comfortable and not comparable to Times Square.

7. This is an opportunity, not a loss. Foreign visitors should embrace the chance to experience genuine Japanese cultural traditions rather than seeking Western-style parties.

Notable Quotes

• 00:01 John Daub: "Happy New Year. Sort of. So it's been a couple of days since the announcement was made, but Shibuya Ward, predictably, has decided to cancel or suspend the Countdown party for 2025."

• 01:04 John Daub: "My suggestion to you is to go to the temples and the shrines, because that is where they ring the bell 108 times. You got the media blitz and the sponsors of Shibuya—forget that. It's time. If you're in Japan, connect with nature."

• 03:19 John Daub: "It's just chaos. Over 100,000 people here. It's not comfortable. It's not Times Square. There's no tradition for doing this."

• 04:30 John Daub: "Very true. New York City, I don't know why they keep doing that countdown and why all those people wait, they wear diapers and wait in the rain for a ball to fall. Hey, you know, more power to you if you think that that's your cup of tea."

• 07:06 John Daub: "Think about all the money that they're going to save on all the police overtime, which is totally unnecessary, and all the other problems and the cleanup afterwards that's associated with this. And the residents don't want it anyways. I think it's sort of a win, win, win."

• 08:10 John Daub: "I said, why don't they do things the Western way? Well, now, after 25 years, after 26 years after living here, I kind of understand. You don't need to do the Countdown parties. Families here will watch NHK at home and then they will go to sleep."

• 08:46 John Daub: "You're going to get a more cultural experience than going into a Countdown party in the center of Tokyo where there's 100,000 other people. If that's your cup of tea, you're like 20-something, maybe that's cool for you. I think you'd better go to Asakusa where they got street food."

Related Topics

• Japanese New Year traditions and shogatsu celebrations
• Temple and shrine etiquette in Japan
• Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa district
• Shibuya nightlife and nightlife district regulations
• Public safety and event management in Tokyo
• Cultural differences between Western and Japanese New Year celebrations
• Kōhaku Uta Gassen and Japanese television traditions
• Tokyo's major landmarks and their roles in celebrations

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