New Year's Day is just around the corner, and it's all about the first sunrise of the year! It's considered auspicious, as it also means praying to the New Year deity for happiness and a bountiful harvest for the year. Here we'll introduce some recommended spots and events for viewing the first sunrise of the year! Of course, these are spots where you can see beautiful sunrises on any given day, so use this as a reference for your winter holiday outings.

Cape Nosappu is famous as the spot where you can encounter the earliest sunrise, and many people visit every year to watch the first sunrise of the year at the easternmost point of the mainland. The Northern Territories, including Kaigara Island, Suisho Island, and Kunashiri Island in the Habomai Islands, float right before your eyes, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery as the sun rises.

Every New Year's Day, many people gather to watch the first sunrise of the year at Cape Soya, the northernmost point of Japan, at the top of Japan. To warmly welcome visitors, an event called "First Sunrise at Teppen" is also held. Events include the gifting of zodiac keychains, warmly lit bonfires, and fireworks.

It is one of Japan's most scenic spots, with a series of sheer cliffs about 100 meters high, and on clear days you can see the Pacific Ocean from the observation deck. It is also popular as a spot to see the first sunrise of the year, and is crowded with locals and tourists from far and wide on New Year's Day. The sunrise amidst the beautiful natural scenery is a spectacular sight.

From the Bihoro Pass Observatory, you can see Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, below you. Furthermore, you can see the magnificent panorama of Mount Iou, which still emits smoke, and the Shiretoko mountain range and Daisetsu peaks in the distance, which has been touted as "the most breathtaking view in the world." Many people gather here to see the sea of clouds in the early morning and the first sunrise on New Year's Day.

At the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center, you can fully experience the natural beauty of the Notsuke Peninsula. On New Year's Day, an event called "First Sunrise Viewing Party at the Nature Center" is held, and many people gather on the Notsuke Peninsula to welcome the start of the new year.

Daisetsuzan National Park is made up of a number of 2,000-meter-high mountains. Each has its own unique charm, making it an endlessly fascinating mountain range for climbers. A ride up the Kurodake Ropeway will take you to the magnificent view of Mount Daisetsu. On New Year's Day, a special service will be held, allowing you to see the first sunrise of the year from the fifth station, and plans are also in place for rice cake throwing and the provision of hot drinks.

Cape Erimo is a place where you can experience the magnificent drama of nature. You can see the Hidaka Mountains, known as the backbone of Hokkaido, gradually lower in elevation and sink into the Pacific Ocean. The first sunrise of the year seen against the dynamic backdrop of rough waves is also impressive.

This cape juts out into the Sea of Okhotsk, and is a spot where you can enjoy nature and views, with only a lighthouse and management office at its tip. To the west you can see Lake Notoro and the coast of Tokoro Town, to the north the Sea of Okhotsk, and to the east the distant Shiretoko Mountain Range. The sunrise over the Sea of Okhotsk is a spectacular sight.

1 39th Kita no Daimonji (Kami-furano Town)

This New Year's Eve event takes place at Hinode Park, a snow-covered park overlooking Kamifurano town. The character "大" (large) is placed on the snow and lit by the fire of the sacred fire runners, making it appear on the dark, snow-covered slope. Fireworks and Ansei Taiko drum performances also take place, further livening up the venue.

2 Garinko-go III ~2026 New Year's Day Cruise~ (Monbetsu City)

At the start of 2026, a special cruise will be operated from the Garinko, allowing you to see the first sunrise of the year. The open sea is the perfect place to watch the first sunrise of the year rising over the vast ocean. You can enjoy the sunrise while being blown by the sea breeze, which has a different charm from watching it from land.

3 Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum - Viewing the first sunrise of the year (Abashiri City)

The Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum observation terrace will be temporarily opened so that visitors can see the first sunrise of the year. Enjoy the first sunrise from the terrace, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Abashiri, Lake Notoro, Lake Tofutsu, Lake Mokoto, the Sea of Okhotsk, and even the Shiretoko Mountain Range and the Akan mountain range. Free amazake (sweet sake) will also be served in front of the Dolce Aqua restaurant inside the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum.

4 Goryokaku Tower, first sunrise of the year (Hakodate City)

Welcome the first sunrise of the year at Hakodate's popular tourist spot. Hakodate's landmark, Goryokaku Tower, will be open for special business from 6:30 AM to coincide with the first sunrise of the year. From the tower, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Mount Hakodate, the city, the Tsugaru Strait, and Hakodate Bay as the sun rises. Immediately after the first sunrise, a "First Sunrise Lion Dance Performance" will be performed on the observation deck, and prayers will be offered for good health and safety in the year ahead.

5 nORBESA SunRise 2026.1.1 ~Watch the first sunrise from the Ferris wheel~ (Sapporo City)

The Ferris wheel at Norbesa, a commercial complex in Sapporo, will be open early on New Year's Day only. Only 20 pairs of people will be selected by lottery to enjoy the view of dawn from the Ferris wheel, which is not normally possible. Participants will also receive a commemorative photo and a medal as a keepsake.

6 Rusutsu Resort New Year's Eve Fireworks Display & Torchlight Skating (Rusutsu Village)

A collaboration of 1,200 fireworks and music will bring the year to a close. School instructors will perform perfectly synchronized formation ski runs, and there will also be a participatory ski run where participants will hold torches and light up the slopes brilliantly. Limited quantities of hot drinks will also be distributed, so why not welcome in the New Year in a fantastical way with a hot drink in hand?

*All information is current as of the time of publication in December 2025. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.