Tokyo's New Year's Eve Countdown Event
Symbolizing “Tradition” and ‘Innovation’
“Happy New Year Tokyo 2026”
Approximately 5,000 spectators (preliminary figure) gathered
at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Projection mapping by Mika Ninagawa with EiM,
dance performances by breakdancer Shigekix,
an immersive live show featuring Hatsune Miku, and a “Kawaii Dance Show” by Hello Kitty and friends will dazzle New Year's Eve night!
The Tokyo Nighttime Attraction Creation Project Executive Committee held “Happy New Year Tokyo 2026,” a spectacular countdown event symbolizing Tokyo as a city where ‘tradition’ and “innovation” converge, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Approximately 5,000 people gathered on-site, including winners of the advance application lottery and participants who registered on the day. The New Year's Eve night was illuminated by a variety of performances: projection mapping by globally renowned artist Mika Ninagawa with EiM; a cutting-edge immersive live performance by Hatsune Miku, Japan's representative virtual singer; a performance by Olympian breakdancer Shigekix; a “Kawaii Dance Show” featuring Hello Kitty and friends; and a dance show of light and sound by MPLUSPLUS DANCERS.
At the event's opening, the next-generation performance team “MPLUSPLUS DANCERS” took the stage, presenting a dazzling dance show of light and sound. Their synchronized performance of brilliant lights and motion created a spectacular opening. Next, the projection mapping work “Tokyo Rebirth — A Journey of the City's Soul Through the Abyss and Rebirth,” created by the globally renowned Mika Ninagawa with EiM, was projected onto the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. This powerful, breathtaking imagery, which portrays the city as a single living entity and depicts the transformation and energy lurking within its depths, captivated the audience. Furthermore, breakdancer Shigekix, who also drew attention at the Paris Olympics, took the stage. Accompanied by the powerful performance of the Tsugaru shamisen, he delivered a breathtaking dance performance. The dynamic fusion of traditional Japanese shamisen music and breakdancing drew loud cheers from the venue, sending the audience's excitement to its peak.
The atmosphere at the venue was completely transformed by the “Cute Dance Show” featuring Sanrio's popular characters Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, and Go-chan. Japan's world-renowned pop culture painted this incredibly cool stage with cuteness. Next to appear was virtual singer Hatsune Miku. Projected onto the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building as the “most advanced immersive live show,” the largest-ever Hatsune Miku appeared. The moment lasers shot from the fingers of the projected Miku herself was a truly otherworldly spectacle where reality and virtuality merged, symbolizing the digital city of Tokyo.
With just under 10 minutes left until the New Year, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike took the stage.
"Good evening, everyone! I'm Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo. Thank you for braving the cold to join us for Happy New Year Tokyo 2026. Our world-class Japanese artists were truly magnificent. Tokyo's tradition and innovation—their performance perfectly embodied that spirit.
This year, Tokyo was recognized as the world's top tourist destination by both the Saudi Arabia Tourism Awards and a reader poll in an American travel magazine. Furthermore, in global city rankings, we moved up from 3rd to 2nd place.
The projection mapping at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building that you are viewing today has been seen by over 1.1 million people to date. It has undoubtedly enhanced the appeal of Tokyo's nighttime. We aim to further refine the appeal of Tokyo, a city striving to be the world's number one.
With just a few minutes left in the year, we would like to close out the year together with everyone and welcome a new year filled with hope." With these words, a New Year's greeting filled with hope was delivered to the attendees.
Following that, the “Countdown Special Projection Mapping” commenced. Giant numbers were projected onto the walls of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and the entire venue joined together, clapping hands and counting down in unison to celebrate the dawn of 2026.
When asked about her aspirations for the new year, Governor Koike responded with excitement: “Happy New Year! This year is 2026—Reiwa 8. The character for ‘eight’ (八) symbolizes prosperity. Let's all work together to make this a happy and prosperous year.”
“Happy New Year Tokyo 2026”
Event Overview
- Date & Time：
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 11:30 PM to 12:10 AM
- Venue：
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Citizens' Plaza and other locations
- Details：
