JAPAN HAS CHANGED | TOP 9 New Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan 2025

JAPAN HAS CHANGED | TOP 9 New Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan 2025

Hi, I’m Ming from Tokyo. In this video, I will share the top nine new things you should know before traveling to Japan in late 2025 and early 2026. We’ll cover the likely departure tax increase, the New Year shin reservation only period, and the key holiday warnings you need to know, store closures, and major crowd peaks. We also offer private tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. If you’re interested, please contact us through the link below. All right, then let’s go. Number one, departure tax increase. When departing Japan for overseas destinations, a departure tax of 1,000 yen is currently levied. This tax applies uniformly to everyone leaving Japan, including Japanese citizens, not just foreign tourists. The government is now considering proposals to raise the tax. Specifically, one proposal would set it at 3,000 yen for economycl class passengers and 5,000 yen for business or first class passengers. If implemented, this could increase the burden to as much as five times the current amount. Passengers do not usually pay this tax directly at the airport. Instead, it is typically automatically added to the ticket price at the time of purchase. The implementation data and final amount have not been determined yet, but changes could come as early as next summer. We will share updates as new information becomes available. Number two, no reservation equals no seat on Shinkansen. When traveling by Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto, Nosomi trains are the fastest and most frequent, making them very convenient. However, during peak travel periods, unreserved seating is not available, so you must reserve a seat in advance. The most recently announced affected period is December 26th, 2025 to January 4th, 2026, covering the year end and new year holidays. During this time, all Nosomi trains running between Tokyo and Hakata will have reserved seat only service. In other words, you cannot board a Nomi train without a reserved seat. Unreserved seating allows passengers to sit in any available seat on a first come, first served basis without a reservation. Reserved seating requires booking in advance to secure a specific seat. Shinkansen services other than the noomi such as Hikari and Kodama typically offer unreserved seating. However, these trains take longer and run less frequently. I recommend booking your reserved seats through Smart EX as early as possible. Around a month in advance may get you discounts. If you are traveling to the Kai region by Shintansen during these periods, be sure to reserve ahead and check my separate video for a step-by-step guide to using Smart EX. Number three, New Year alert. If you’re traveling to Tokyo during the New Year holidays, be mindful of store closures. When Japan shifts into new year mode, following your usual routine can easily lead to disappointment. The place I wanted to visit was closed. As a general trend during this period, many shops, especially independent stores, close. If you have specific places in mind, it’s wise to check their business hours in advance. Now, let’s look at a few major spots. First, Tukiji Outer Market. While some shops are open year round, many close from late December until around January 4th. Many also close early on December 30th. So, if you want to visit Tsukiji, it’s best to go earlier in the day before the end of the year if possible. Next, Shinjukuan, a large garden in the heart of Shinjuku where you can enjoy the changing seasons, is completely closed from December 29th to January 3rd. The day that requires the most caution is January 1st. Popular spots like the Shiba Sky Observatory, department stores, and many supermarkets often suspend regular operations, so plan your New Year’s Day schedule with some flexibility. On the other hand, most convenience stores remain open throughout the year end and New Year period. Major Japanese chains like Gusto and Sukia are also often open, which can be a real lifesaver. Number four, busy season alert in Japan 2026. End of December to early January is a time of nationwide travel in Japan as many people return to their hometowns or go on a vacation. Foreign tourists should keep a few important things in mind during this period. First, transportation tends to be very crowded. The Shinkans and bullet trains, local trains, buses, and airplanes are all heavily congested, and even cabs and cars are likely to get stuck in traffic jams. Accommodation prices are also higher than usual, so booking in advance is especially important. This is also the time of year when department stores and other commercial facilities sell lucky bags called fukubukuro. These are similar to large-scale annual sales and are extremely popular because they offer great deals on merchandise. As a result, stores and other surrounding areas can very crowded. Additionally, many Japanese people visit shrines and temples during the new year, a custom known as hats moldi. This event draws large crowds every year, especially at famous shrines and temples, so visitors should be prepared for heavy congestion and exercise cion when you visit. New Year’s in Japan is a unique culture experience, but careful planning is key to navigating the crowds and making the most of your trip. Number five, Tokyo Winter Lights. I’ve featured winter illuminations in previous videos, but here’s a quick rundown of Tokyo’s must-see winter lights this year. First up is Shibuya’s Blue Cave Shibuya. Held nightly from December 4th to 25th, 2025. This classic illumination transforms the Zelcoba treelined avenue from Shibuya Coendori to Yoyogi Park into a sea of blue light. Since it’s an outdoor street display, admission is free. However, it’s a very popular spot, so it gets quite crowded on weekends and around Christmas. Next is the Tokyo Midtown Christmas Illumination in Roongi. Running from November 13th to December 25th, 2025, it transforms Midtown Garden into a golden prominade of lights with the trees and lawn area wrapped in warm lights and magical bubble and snow effects. Finally, the Roongi Kayyakisaka illumination, which we also featured last time. Running from November 4th to December 25th, 2025, you can enjoy that view. Snow and blue light stretching straight ahead with Tokyo Tower in the background. All the illuminations introduced here are free to enjoy. Tokyo’s winter lights feel completely different depending on the area, so be sure to rock them into your travel route. Number six, New Year event. Attention visitors arriving in Japan on January 1st. While many department stores and independent shops close for the New Year holidays, this also means there are special once a year events you can enjoy. First, Tokyo Skytree will hold a New Year’s Day sunrise special opening on January 1st, 2026. This very popular event lets you watch the first sunrise of the year from the observation deck, and attendance is limited to 800 people. The special opening runs from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Tickets are sold through multiple channels, but 540 tickets will go on sale on the official website starting December 1st at 12:00 p.m. Tickets cost 9,000 yen, and you can purchase up to five tickets per application. Each ticket also includes a 1,000 yen sky tree shop voucher which you can use for souvenirs or meals. Shibuya Sky also offers an early morning New Year sunrise event. This one is limited to 330 people and sells out almost instantly every year. The special opening runs from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Tickets go on sale November 27th at 10:00 a.m. for 8,200 yen. The package includes sunrise viewing and a New Year’s prayer ceremony. More first sunrise events in other areas are expected to be announced soon, so stay tuned for updates. Number seven, new open info. In Tokyo in 2025, new tourist spots are making headlines one after another. First, in September, Blue Front Shibara opened along Tokyo Bay. This spacious waterfront complex brings together 27 restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a meal or take a break with beautiful bay views. Another great feature is that on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. it functions as a free public space where you can bring your own food and drinks, read or get some work done. Next, also in September, Harajuku Quest opened. This new commercial facility sits right at the gateway between Harajuku Station and Omoando. It features a large Nike flagship store along with cafes, restaurants, and lifestyle shops. It’s an easy pit stop during a Harajuku Omoteando stroll, letting you take a break and shop in one place. Then at Villa Fontaine Haneda Airport, which is directly connected to Haneda Airport, LSP will open in December 2025. The highlight here is the convenience being able to step straight into a full service spa at the airport. It’s perfect for refreshing after a long flight or relaxing before heading home. And while many spas in Japan don’t allow tattoos, this one welcomes guests with tattoos, which makes it a rare and very convenient option. Number eight is the Suika penguin gone. Many of you probably love Swiska’s penguin mascot. For those fans, I have some disappointing news. It has been announced that Suika’s beloved penguin, cherished for many years, will graduate in March 2026. The Suika IC card service itself is not going away. So, there won’t be any major impact on how travelers use Suika. However, because the penguin has been such a strong part of Suika’s identity, many people are shocked. After the announcement, an online petition calling for the decision to be reversed was launched, showing just how loved this character is. There are also specialty shops selling Suika Penguin goods at Shinjuku Station and Ueno Station. If you’re interested, you might want to stop by and pick up a souvenir before the penguin graduates. Details about the next character have not been announced yet, but I will share updates on this channel as soon as more information becomes available. Number nine, wild bear appeared in Tokyo. Many people might think bears are cute, aren’t they? However, bear sightings and incidents are increasing in Japan with bears appearing not only in the mountains, but also near hot spring resorts and residential areas. The number of fatalities and injuries has risen compared to previous years, and concern is growing across the country. Never underestimate a bear’s strength. If you are attacked, it can be life-threatening. Bears are said to have about twice the force of a Japanese sumo wrestler’s initial charge along with car-like speed and impressive endurance. That said, if you’re just sightseeing in the central areas of Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, you don’t need to worry about bears too much. The places where you should be cautious are Hokkaido, Tohoku, and the mountainous regions of Nagano, Gunma, and Toigi. In Tokyo, rare sightings are mainly reported in nature areas like Mount Taka and Okutama. For the latest bare sighting situation and more detailed safety tips, I explained everything in another video. So, if you’re interested, please check that out as well. That’s all for today. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the like button. See you at the next video. [Music]

Planning a trip to Japan in late 2025 or early 2026?
In this video, I break down 9 important Japan travel updates you should know before you book your flights. We’ll talk about the proposed departure tax increase that could affect your overall travel budget, and the new “reservation only” period on Nozomi Shinkansen trains, where you may not be able to ride without a reserved seat during peak New Year season. You’ll also learn what’s closed and what’s crazy busy around New Year in Japan – from year-end store and market closures (like Tsukiji and Shinjuku Gyoen) to crowded shrines and temples during hatsumode (New Year’s shrine visits). On the brighter side, I’ll highlight Tokyo winter illuminations, special New Year sunrise events (like Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya Sky), and new spots in Tokyo such as Shinjuku/Harajuku developments that are worth adding to your itinerary. Plus, we’ll touch on the Suica update and a quick bear safety reminder for those visiting nature areas like Hokkaido or the mountains.

0:00 Opening
0:30 1. Departure Tax Increase
1:27 2. No Reservation = No Seat on Shinkansen?
2:54 3. New Year Alert
4:22 4. Busy Season Alert in Japan 2026
5:45 5. Tokyo Winter Lights
7:06 6. New Year Event
8:38 7. New Open Information
10:02 8. Is the SUICA Penguin Gone?
11:05 9. Wild Bear Appeared in TOKYO

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