Here’s a summary of the holiday schedule for the 2024–2025 (Reiwa 6–Reiwa 7) year-end and New Year period. We’ll also cover the closure dates for public offices, medical facilities, and post offices, as well as operational details for major public transportation systems in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Use this guide to help plan your year-end and New Year schedule.
Year-End and New Year Holiday Calendar [2024–2025 (Reiwa 6–Reiwa 7)]
| sun | moon | fire | water | tree | gold | soil |
| 2024/12/22 | 12/23 | 12/24 | 12/25 | 12/26 | 12/27 | 12/28 |
| 12/29 | 12/30 | 12/31 | 2025/1/1 | 1/2 | 1/3 | 1/4 |
| 1/5 | 1/6 | 1/7 | 1/8 | 1/9 | 1/10 | 1/11 |
In Japan, most companies typically close for the year-end and New Year holiday from December 29 to January 3, a total of six days. Shops may close from December 30 or 31 until January 1, while some only close on January 1. Others remain open throughout the holiday season. These schedules can vary depending on the business or the specific year, so it’s a good idea to check in advance.
For the 2024–2025 (Reiwa 6–Reiwa 7) period, the holiday spans a long nine-day stretch from December 28 (Saturday) to January 5 (Sunday), as it includes weekends before and after the standard holiday period. With such an extended break, many people might take the opportunity to travel further afield.
What are the Year-End and New Year Bank Closures?
Bank counters are officially closed from December 31 to January 3, as specified by the Enforcement Order of the Banking Act.
The days before and after this closure period (December 27, 2024, Friday, and January 6, 2025, Monday) are likely to be busy. If you need to use the bank counter, make sure to plan your schedule with enough time to avoid the rush.
While bank counters are closed, ATMs and online banking services are generally available 24/7 year-round. However, system maintenance may occasionally cause temporary service disruptions, so it’s recommended to check the bank’s official website in advance.
Year-End and New Year Hospital Closures
Many public hospitals, including national hospitals, Red Cross hospitals, prefectural hospitals, and university hospitals, typically close from December 29 to January 3.
However, privately-run clinics may have longer holiday closures. Be sure to check the website or other information sources for the specific clinic you plan to visit.
It’s also important to know about emergency consultation services in case of sudden illness or injury. Searching for terms like "holiday medical care [prefecture or city name]" or "New Year medical care [prefecture or city name]" often provides a list of medical facilities available in your area.
If you’re unsure whether to call an ambulance, it’s recommended to first contact the Emergency Medical Consultation Center.
If you’re a foreign visitor and worried about language barriers, you can also use support services designed for foreigners.
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Traveling with peace of mind in Japan | When you feel unwell
- Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Guide for Ambulances for Foreign Visitors to Japan
Year-End and New Year Post Office Closures
Postal Delivery
There is no postal delivery on January 2, Sundays, and national holidays. In Japan, it’s traditional to send New Year’s greeting cards (nengajo), and if you post them by the final collection on December 25, they will be delivered on New Year’s Day.
Post Office Counters
Post office counters are generally closed from December 31 to January 3. However, operating days and hours can vary depending on the size and type of the post office. Larger offices that are open on weekends throughout the year may have different holiday schedules.
Yu-Yu Counters
"Yu-Yu" counters, available at some large post offices, allow services like parcel pickup, mailing, and purchasing stamps or revenue stamps outside regular business hours. These counters are often open on weekends and holidays.
However, their operating schedules during the year-end and New Year period may differ from usual, so it’s best to check in advance if you plan to use these services.
Japan Post Bank Counters
Savings account counters at Japan Post Bank follow the same year-end and New Year schedule as other banks, closing from December 31 to January 3, as stipulated by the Enforcement Order of the Banking Act. They are also closed on weekends and public holidays.
While ATMs remain operational during the holiday period, availability may vary depending on the location. Confirm specific details in advance to avoid inconvenience.
Year-End and New Year Government Office Closures
Government offices follow the "Act on Holidays of Administrative Organs," which designates December 29 to January 3 as their official holiday period.
Since administrative offices are also generally closed on weekends and public holidays, the year-end and New Year break for 2024–2025 will extend from December 28 (Saturday) to January 5 (Sunday), making it a 9-day holiday.
Please note that government office counters are typically crowded in the days leading up to and following the holiday period. If possible, try to avoid visiting during this time.
Transportation Schedules for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (December 31–January 1)
Year-End and New Year Train and Bus Schedules in Central Tokyo
Public transportation, including trains and buses, generally operates on a holiday schedule from December 30 to January 3. However, during New Year’s Eve (December 31) and New Year’s Day (January 1), special services such as overnight operations may be offered to accommodate people visiting shrines for hatsumode (New Year’s visits) or viewing the first sunrise of the year.
JR East
- December 29, 2024 (Sunday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: Late-night services with extended last train times on some lines.
| Line | Section | Operation Hours & Interval | Notes |
| Yamanote Line | Inner and Outer Loops | 1:00 AM–5:00 AM (approx. 15-minute intervals) | |
| Keihin Tohoku-Negishi Line | Sakuragicho–Omiya | 1:00 AM–4:00 AM (approx. 15–50-minute intervals) | |
| Stops at each station on the Chuo and Sobu lines | Mitaka–Chiba | 12:30 AM–5:00 AM (approx. 10–50-minute intervals) | * Intervals are based on Nakano–Nishi-Funabashi section |
| Chuo Line Rapid Train | Mitaka–Takao | 12:30 AM–4:30 AM (approx. 30–110-minute intervals) | |
| Yokosuka Line | Yokohama–Zushi | 1:00 AM–5:00 AM (approx. 80-minute intervals) | |
| Ome Line | Tachikawa–Mitake | From Tachikawa: 2:19 AM, 3:20 AM; From Mitake: 3:20 AM, 4:38 AM | * Does not stop at stations between Miyanohei and Sawai |
| Sobu Main Line / Narita Line | Chiba–Narita | From Chiba: 1:20 AM, 3:15 AM; From Narita: 2:10 AM, 3:54 AM | * Does not stop at Higashi-Chiba Station |
*Information as of October 18, 2024.
JR East Japan Winter Temporary Train Operation
Tokyo Metro
- December 30, 2024 (Monday) to January 3, 2025 (Friday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- No overnight services or extended last train operations during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
*Announced on November 29, 2024
Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation
Toei Subway
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
* The Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) has a Saturday schedule on Saturday, December 28, a holiday schedule on Sunday, December 29 ~ Friday, January 3, 2025, a Saturday schedule on Saturday, January 4, and a holiday schedule on Sunday, January 5.
- No overnight services or extended last train operations during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
*Announced on November 29, 2024
Toei Bus
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Temporary schedules, which may vary by route. Some routes may not operate.
*Announced on December 12, 2024
Tobu Railway
- December 30, 2024 (Monday) to January 3, 2025 (Friday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- No overnight services or extended last train operations during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday).
- Daishi Line (Nishiarai–Daishimae): Increased services from January 1 (Wednesday) to January 3 (Friday), 2025.
*Announced on December 2, 2024
Seibu Railway
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday and holiday schedule
- No overnight services or extended last train operations during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday).
*Announced on November 29, 2024
Seibu Bus
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday): Saturday schedule
- December 29, 2024 (Sunday) ~ January 3, 2025 (Friday): New Year Special Schedule
- January 4, 2025 (Saturday): Saturday schedule
* Excluding some routes. Detailed timetables will be posted at each stop and on the website around the end of December
*Announced on December 13, 2024
Odakyu Electric Railway
- December 30, 2024 (Monday) to January 3, 2025 (Friday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- No overnight services or extended last train operations during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday).
*Announced on November 29, 2024
Odakyu Bus
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Holiday schedule with some temporary adjustments.
*Announced on December 13, 2024
Keio Corporation
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- All-night operation will be implemented between Shinjuku ~ Takao Yamaguchi on the Keio Line during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday).
*Announced on December 10, 2024
Keio Bus
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
* Special buses for Hatsumode (New Year shrine visits) will operate between Chofu Station North Exit/Tsutsujigaoka Station North Exit and Jindaiji Temple.
*Announced on December 10, 2024
Keisei Electric Railway
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: All-night operation between Keisei Ueno ~ Keisei Narita
- January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) ~ January 3, 2025 (Friday) and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the month: Increased number of trains and temporary timetable
*Announced on November 29, 2024
Keisei Bus
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Holiday schedule (partially suspended)
*Announced on November 29, 2024
Keikyu Corporation
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: All-night operation and last train are extended
- January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) ~ January 7 (Tuesday), 11 (Saturday) ~ 13 (Monday), 2025: Increased frequency on the Daishi Line
*Announced on December 5, 2024
Keikyu Bus
- December 29, 2024 (Sunday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): New year special schedule (depending on the route, service may be suspended)
*Announced on December 5, 2024
Tokyu Railway
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday/holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: After the regular last train, one extra special train departing from Shibuya will be added on the Toyoko Line and Denentoshi Line.
*Announced on December 6, 2024
Tokyu Bus
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): New year special schedule (depending on the route, service may be suspended)
*Announced on December 13, 2024
Tokyo Monorail
December 30, 2024 (Monday) – January 3, 2025 (Friday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Additional Airport Express trains will be operated.
*Announced on December 3, 2024
Rinkai Line
December 30, 2024 (Monday) – January 3, 2025 (Friday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- No overnight services or extended last train operations during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday).
*Announced on December 13, 2024
Yurikamome Line
December 30, 2024 (Monday) – January 3, 2025 (Friday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- No overnight services or extended last train operations during December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday).
*Announced on December 13, 2024.
Year-End and New Year Train and Bus Schedules in Osaka
JR West
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: Selected lines will extend last trains.
| Line name | Section | Operation Hours & Interval | Notes |
| JR Kyoto Line – JR Kobe Line | Kyoto – Takatsuki – Osaka – Nishi-Akashi | 12:00 AM–3:00 AM (approx. 20–40 min intervals) | Kyoto – Takatsuki: ~40-min intervals. Takatsuki – Nishi-Akashi: ~20-min intervals. |
| Nara Line | Kyoto – Joyo | 12:00 AM–3:00 AM (approx. 30 min intervals) |
*Announced on December 1, 2024
Osaka Metro
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) to January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: No overnight train services or extensions of last trains.
*Announced on December 1, 2024
Kintetsu Railway
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) – January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday, public holiday): Overnight train services with additional special trains on selected lines.
*Announced on November 7, 2024
Hankyu Corporation
- December 28, 2024 (Saturday) – January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday, public holiday): No overnight train services or extensions of last trains.
*Announced on December 6, 2024
Hanshin Electric Railway
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) – January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday, public holiday): No overnight train services or extensions of last trains.
*Announced on December 2, 2024
Keihan Electric Railway
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) – December 31, 2024 (Tuesday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) – January 4, 2025 (Saturday): New Year's Schedule
- January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: No overnight train services or extensions of last trains.
*Announced on December 6, 2024
Nankai Electric Railway
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) – December 31, 2024 (Tuesday): Saturday and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday, public holiday): Last trains will be extended on the Nankai Line between Namba and Takashinohama.
- January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) ~ January 3, 2025 (Friday): Some Airport Express and Limited Express trains will make temporary stops at Sumiyoshi Taisha Station.
*Announced on November 28, 2024
Year-End and New Year Train and Bus Schedules in Nagoya
JR Central
December 29, 2024 (Saturday) – January 5, 2025 (Sunday): Weekend and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) New Year's Eve ~ January 1, 2025 (Wednesday) New Year's Day: No overnight train services or extensions of last trains. Many special trains, including limited express and Shinkansen, will operate during this period.
Notice of JR Central "Winter" Special Train
Nagoya Railway
December 30, 2024 (Monday) – January 3, 2025 (Friday): Weekend and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tueday) – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday, public holiday): No overnight train services or extensions of last trains.
*Announced on November 22, 2024
Nagoya Subway
December 28, 2024 (Saturday) – January 3, 2025 (Friday): Weekend and holiday schedule.
- December 31, 2024 (Tueday) – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday, public holiday): : Overnight train services will operate on all lines except the Kamiiida Line.
*Announced on November 30, 2024
Kinki Nippon Railway
Please refer to the Osaka section for details.
Department stores and restaurants during New Year's holidays
Large-scale stores such as department stores and shopping malls are often open during the New Year holidays, but their operating hours may differ from usual. In recent years, an increasing number of department stores have chosen to close on New Year’s Day.
Restaurant closure schedules vary by establishment, so it is recommended to check in advance.
Enjoy planning your outings during the New Year holidays!
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