New Year’s in Kyoto is a special time to experience the charm and traditions unique to the ancient capital.
Especially, spending time in the Higashiyama area, centered around Chion-in Temple and Yasaka Shrine, is perfect for welcoming the New Year in true Kyoto style!
This time, we’ll introduce a New Year’s plan for the Higashiyama area!
What is the Higashiyama Area?
The Higashiyama area is a region in Kyoto city with a particularly high concentration of tourist attractions.
With historic temples and shrines like Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, and Chion-in scattered throughout, you can enjoy quintessential Kyoto scenery.
The charming streetscapes with stone-paved roads and traditional machiya houses are also part of its appeal.
Including Gion and Maruyama Park, it’s an area where you can feel the beauty of all four seasons.
Recommended Model Course
◎December 31, 2024 New Year’s Eve
＜Preparing for New Year’s Eve＞
- Yasaka Shrine:
From around 7 PM, the traditional New Year’s Eve event “Okera-mairi” begins.
Transfer the okera fire to a rope and take it home to pray for good health in the new year!
＜New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing and Countdown＞
In Kyoto, there are temples where you can experience or observe the ringing of the New Year’s Eve bell.
- Kodai-ji Temple:
Gates open at 10 PM, and numbered tickets (108 in total) are distributed to individuals or groups.
From around 11:45 PM, one bell strike per ticket is possible.
*If there are many participants, one ticket may be shared between two people.
- Chion-in Temple:
From 10:40 PM to around 12:35 AM, one main bell ringer and 16 assistant ringers, totaling 17 monks, will ring the bell 108 times in unison.
Visitors cannot ring the bell themselves, but can observe for free.
On Friday, December 27th, from 2 PM, there will be a “New Year’s Eve Bell Test Ringing” by the monks. This is also free to observe, so check it out!
◎January 1, 2025 New Year’s Day
＜Early Morning: Hatsumode＞
- Yasaka Shrine:
Yasaka Shrine, known for its benefits in warding off evil and matchmaking, is open for worship 24 hours (entry is restricted from 11 PM on New Year’s Eve to 12 AM on New Year’s Day, with worship resuming from 12 AM). It’s especially crowded on New Year’s Day.
Typically, it’s most crowded around noon on New Year’s Day, so visiting for hatsumode in the early morning will allow for a relatively relaxed worship experience.
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple:
Registered as one of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” World Heritage sites, the “Otowa Waterfall” within the temple grounds is said to bring benefits for longevity, academic success, and matchmaking.
On New Year’s Day, the gates open at 6 AM, and you can view the first sunrise of the year from the Kiyomizu Stage, making it a popular spot for viewing the first sunrise.
＜Morning: Breakfast to Lunch＞
Here are some recommended restaurants for New Year’s Day hatsumode in the Higashiyama area.
- Breakfast at Kishin *Reservation required
A popular restaurant in Gion where you can experience Kyoto’s culture and cuisine.
Enjoy a simple yet high-quality Japanese breakfast with rice cooked in an earthen pot and soup made with Kyoto white miso.
From January 1st to 5th, they offer a “New Year’s Special Course” for ¥6000 (tax included), featuring Kishin’s osechi (traditional New Year’s food) and white miso ozoni (soup with mochi).
There are 4 reservation slots, with the first starting at 7:30 AM. It’s also recommended as a pre-hatsumode breakfast to prepare your mind!
- Address: 1F Suzu Hotel Gion Hanatouro, 555 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
- Hours: Breakfast 7:30 – 14:05 (Last order 12:45)
- First slot: Starts at 07:30
- Second slot: Starts at 09:00
- Third slot: Starts at 11:15
- Fourth slot: Starts at 12:45
- Reservation site: Here
- Gion Shinbashi Nakatani
A popular restaurant offering authentic kappo cuisine by a chef with over 20 years of experience in Japanese cuisine.
In a hidden gem-like atmosphere in Gion, enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients like fish directly from Awaji Island and Wakasa Bay, and Kyoto vegetables.
From December 31st to January 3rd, including New Year’s Day, they offer only a “Special Course” for 19,800 yen (tax included). *Reservation required
- Address: 59-1 Motoyoshi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
- Hours: Lunch 11:30-13:00 (Last order), Dinner in two sessions starting at 17:00 and 20:00
- Reservation site: Here
*Actual menu items may differ
- Mimiko-an Main Store
A restaurant where you can enjoy delicious soba in a Kyoto machiya house over 100 years old, designated as a historic scenic building by Kyoto City.
The recommended “Soba Gozen” for 4,500 yen (tax included) includes a two-tiered box beautifully arranged with appetizers, tempura, and saikyo-yaki, along with hot soba and dessert. *Reservation required 2 days in advance
- Address: 393 Ishisen-in-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
- Hours: 11:00-15:00 (Last order 14:30), 17:00-20:30 (Last order 20:00)
- Reservation site: Here
Points to Note
- Be fully prepared for the cold (warm clothing and hand warmers).
- Especially around Yasaka Shrine, crowds are expected, so early arrival is recommended.
- Check special schedules and operating hours for public transportation in advance.
- Please check the official websites for the latest information on each location.
Start the New Year with a Memorable Kyoto-style New Year’s Celebration!
The route recommended here allows you to experience traditional New Year’s events in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area while efficiently visiting famous hatsumode spots.
Please use this as a reference to start your year off wonderfully!
