New Year in Japan: visas, routes, prices and where to go

New Year in Japan is a distinctive mix of age-old ritual, contemporary culture and a cozy winter mood. In a country where every holiday carries layers of meaning and symbolism, the turn of the year becomes an event in its own right. Visitors are drawn by illuminated streets, temple visits, time-honored ceremonies and seasonal food.

Before you set off, it helps to sort out the practicalities: how long a Japanese visa takes and what tours cost at this time of year. This article lays out the key details so your holiday trip to the Land of the Rising Sun feels as smooth as it is memorable.

Season

Japan welcomes travelers year-round, but March to May is widely considered the sweet spot. The weather is comfortable—neither scorching nor bitter—and the odds of disruptive conditions are low. What elevates this season is the blossom: from March, the famed cherry bloom begins its gradual sweep from south to north. Hanami, the tradition of admiring flowering cherry trees, holds a special place in Japanese culture and has become a symbol of spring.

Winter adds its own twist: in a matter of hours you can swap Hokkaido’s snowbound landscapes for warm southern beaches. It’s a rare chance to combine skiing and diving within a single vacation.

New Year itself brings quiet, reflection and a sense of renewal. Unlike the noise of many Western celebrations, most people spend the period with family, visit shrines and take part in customs such as omisoka (a cleansing ritual) and hatsumode (the year’s first shrine visit). Cities dress up with illuminations and traditional ornaments like kadomatsu (bamboo and pine arrangements) and shimenawa (straw ropes). The calmer rhythm often surprises first-time visitors—in a good way.

Holiday tables feature osechi-ryori—beautifully boxed festive dishes—and toshikoshi soba, noodles symbolizing long life. Each comes with its own layers of meaning.

Winter is also prime time for hot springs (onsen), skiing or snowboarding in the Japanese Alps and for bright seasonal festivals, including the Sapporo Snow Festival.

When to apply for a visa

Growing interest in trips to Japan has lengthened queues at the Japanese Consulate in Moscow. Tour operators attribute it to a noticeable rise in individual applicants.

Visa submissions traditionally follow a walk-in system, so more demand brings a bit of a rush. Travelers booking through tour operators aren’t affected: agencies file their clients’ applications in an organized way. The consulate is currently prioritizing departures with the nearest dates, and average waits hover around 10 days.

Given the situation, companies advise booking in advance and applying for a visa at least 2–4 weeks before travel. If the application is complete and in order, processing takes five business days.

The rules themselves haven’t changed, and operators report no issues with clients’ financial guarantees. What matters is accuracy and neat preparation. If the consulate has doubts about the trip’s purpose or the applicant’s finances, a refusal is possible.

Both 5-year passports of the older type and 10-year biometric passports are accepted. A brief pause on older passports has been lifted. Any passport is fine as long as it is valid for at least three months beyond the trip.

Popular destinations for winter travel in Japan

Japan isn’t often associated with beach time, yet its coasts—especially in the subtropical south—are worth attention. Okinawa has some of the most photogenic stretches of sand. On Ishigaki Island, Fusaki, Sukuji and Yonehara rank among the popular choices.

The beaches of Taketomi and Iriomote charm not only with warm water and scenery but with star-shaped grains of sand sprinkled among the usual ones—a natural curiosity.

Tokyo blends modern life and tradition. Over the holidays, the city glows with large-scale light installations, and shopping centers run major seasonal sales.

Visitors often head to Meiji Jingu for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. A festive dinner with city views and strolls through lively districts like Shibuya and Ginza round out the evening.

Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heart, where New Year customs feel especially tangible. Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari offer rich settings for seasonal rituals, while the old streets of Gion set a contemplative mood. A traditional tea ceremony adds a quiet highlight.

Osaka is known for its food culture and upbeat holiday spirit. The illuminations around Umeda draw crowds, and seasonal markets serve local favorites such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Osaka Castle provides a grand backdrop for festivities.

Hokkaido in winter is a snow-draped wonderland with hot springs and ski resorts. Niseko is a favorite for skiing and snowboarding. Onsen sessions with views of white landscapes and snow festivals make easy additions.

Okinawa suits those trading cold for warmth. Even in winter you can enjoy the beach, go snorkeling, visit the Churaumi Aquarium—one of the world’s largest—or sample the region’s distinctive cuisine.

Nikko, not far from Tokyo, is famed for UNESCO-listed shrines. Toshogu Shrine sets a dignified tone for the season, and the surrounding waterfalls and mountains look striking in winter.

Nara lets you step into the atmosphere of old Japan. Todaiji Temple, with its imposing Buddha statue, is a centerpiece, and free-roaming deer in Nara Park add a memorable encounter.

Hakone is a classic hot-spring retreat with views of Mount Fuji. Onsen with Fuji vistas, the Okada Museum of Art and a sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi make for a relaxed holiday program.

Each of these destinations offers its own angle on Japanese culture during the New Year period.

How to get there

Direct flights between Russia and Japan have not resumed, but you can reach Japan with connections via countries that do have air links with Russia.

Route options

Via the United Arab Emirates: On the Moscow—Dubai—Tokyo route, Emirates and Japan Airlines operate flights. Japan Airlines has been running direct Doha–Tokyo services since April 1, 2024, which may be convenient for travelers from Russia.

Via Turkey: Turkish Airlines flies the Moscow—Istanbul—Tokyo route. Turkey is a popular transit point for trips to Asia.

Via China: Air China and China Eastern Airlines operate the Moscow—Beijing—Tokyo route. Be sure to account for current transit rules through China.

Check in advance whether you need visas for transit countries. Because air links can change, it’s sensible to monitor updates on airline and consular websites and to plan ahead to secure the most convenient and economical fares.

So even without direct flights, travel from Russia to Japan in winter 2024 and early 2025 remains feasible with careful routing.

How much does it cost to celebrate New Year in Japan

Russian travelers are showing strong interest in New Year trips to Japan. PAC Group offers the tour “Winter Japan. Mini-group 1” departing December 17. The program includes airfare, 3-star hotels, transfers, six excursions, meals (seven breakfasts and six lunches), visa processing and medical insurance. Prices start from 329,900 rubles per person. The operator also has “New Year in Tokyo” (eight days, visiting Tokyo and Nikko, departure December 29) from 476,000 rubles for two, excluding airfare.

Russian Express sells the escorted tour “From East to West” for 10 days from 175,000 rubles per person, excluding flights. Company representatives note that the most favorable airfares to Japan are currently offered by Chinese carriers, with connections in Beijing or Shanghai.

Space Travel arranges New Year packages departing from Moscow, including a connection via Beijing. A one-week trip for two starts at 340,000 rubles.

BSI Group offers a 12-day tour with eight excursions and guaranteed flights. Prices start from 880,000 rubles for two.

Prices for December 2024 vary by trip length, comfort level, included services and the chosen tour operator.

Tour operators have already opened bookings for the 2025 cherry blossom season. PAC Group offers the spring tour “Classic Japan” for seven nights from 358,600 rubles for two, excluding airfare.

New Year in Japan is a chance to step into a world where tradition and modern rhythm live side by side—from shrine visits and hatsumode to spectacular city light shows. It’s a time to reset, savor the quiet and soak up a distinct atmosphere.

When planning, factor in the visa timeline, book tours in advance and pick an itinerary that lets Japan’s variety shine. Whether it’s the snowy slopes of Hokkaido, the temples of Kyoto or Tokyo’s neon corridors, starting the year here tends to leave vivid impressions—and the feeling that the trip was worth every step.