New Year Greeting at the Imperial Palace

What Is the New Year Greeting?

The New Year Greeting (Shinnen Ippan Sanga) is usually held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2 (it may be canceled due to snow, bad weather, or other reasons). According to the Imperial Household Agency, in 2026 Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress were scheduled to appear on the veranda of the Chowaden Hall of the Palace about five times.

How the New Year Greeting Proceeds

According to the guidelines published by the Imperial Household Agency for 2026, the greeting was scheduled as follows.

• Entry: Visitors enter through the Main Gate (Nijubashi) of the Imperial Palace between 9:30 a.m. and 2:10 p.m.
• Greeting area: The East Garden of the Palace serves as the venue.
• Appearances: Five appearances were scheduled, from about 10:10 a.m. to about 2:20 p.m.
• Exit: Visitors leave through the Sakashita, Kikyo, Ote, or Inui Gate.

Requests to Visitors

Because heavy crowds are expected, the Imperial Household Agency asks visitors to allow plenty of time for baggage inspections at the entrance and to keep their belongings to a minimum. It also asks people not to line up near the Imperial Palace Outer Garden from the evening of the day before (January 1) or in the early morning of the day itself. Visitors should also take care with their footwear, as the plaza in front of the palace is gravel and there are slopes inside the grounds.

Tips for Marking This Day

• If you are in Tokyo, check the Imperial Household Agency's guidelines and go to the New Year Greeting
• Watch coverage of the New Year Greeting on TV or in the news
• Watch the video of the New Year address on the Imperial Household Agency's website
• Exchange New Year's greetings with your family and talk about your plans for the year

An Imperial Palace Event to Celebrate the New Year

Many people from all over Japan come to the New Year Greeting every year. If you plan to attend, check the latest guidelines from the Imperial Household Agency and allow plenty of time. Why not feel the start of the new year through one of Japan's New Year events?