New Year's Eve countdowns in Kyushu
- Covering 13 fireworks, music, shrine and temple spots, Huis Ten Bosch launches 5,000 fireworks on December 31, 2026.
- Events with confirmed 2026 dates are Huis Ten Bosch (December 31) and the Dazaifu light-up (from 17:00 on December 31).
- Free New Year countdown events include Moji Port Retro, the Tsuiki fireworks (2025–26 records) and the Dazaifu light-up.
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For New Year’s Eve in Kyushu, Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki launches 5,000 fireworks on Thursday, December 31, 2026. In Fukuoka, the focus is Moji Port, shrines and temples in Munakata, Dazaifu and Atago, and a concert; in Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Oita it is first shrine visits (hatsumode) and traffic controls. Only Huis Ten Bosch and the Dazaifu light-up have 2026 details; the rest are the 2025-26 record. We will update the other events with this year’s dates when they are announced.
In short
- Fireworks at midnight: Huis Ten Bosch (December 31, 2026, 5,000 fireworks; a separate entry ticket is needed). In Fukuoka, the beach fireworks in Tsuiki Town (in 2025-26, from midnight on January 1; free).
- Free: Moji Port Retro (free in 2025), the Dazaifu light-up at Kanzeonji and Kaidanin, and the Tsuiki fireworks.
- Music: Fukuoka Sylvester Concert (¥5,000 advance in 2025), SPACE DISCO in Tenmonkan, Kagoshima (2025).
- Quiet year-end at a shrine: New Year’s Eve ritual at Washio Atago Shrine (from 23:00), the Great Purification and New Year’s Eve rituals at Miyajidake Shrine and Munakata Taisha.
- First visit just after midnight: Usa Jingu (upper shrine from 0:00 on January 1), Kirishima Jingu (Kyumen drums around 0:00), Aso Shrine (traffic control from 23:00 on December 31). All are 2025-26 records.
Checked with official pages on October 26, 2026 (Japan time).
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1. 13 New Year’s Eve events in Kyushu: times, prices, access
Only Huis Ten Bosch (December 31) and the Dazaifu light-up (from 17:00 on December 31) have fixed 2026 dates; the rest are 2025-26 records. For all-night trains and buses in Fukuoka, see our Japanese page (Fukuoka year-end trains and buses).
| Event | Pref. | Time | Price | Access / parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huis Ten Bosch | Nagasaki | Dec 31, 2026 (Thu); 5,000 fireworks at midnight | Entry ticket plus reserved seats ¥2,000-24,000 each | Car park fills first come, first served |
| Moji Port Retro | Fukuoka | Dec 31, 2025, 19:00-2:15 am | Free | No parking. JR Moji Port Station train at 0:55, etc. |
| Tsuiki fireworks | Fukuoka | 2025-26: from 0:00 on Jan 1 | Free | About 8 min from Tsuiki IC / Shiida IC |
| Dazaifu light-up | Fukuoka | Dec 31, 2026, 17:00 to about 3:00 am | Free | Public transport advised; Kanzeonji parking not available |
| Fukuoka Sylvester Concert | Fukuoka | 2025: 22:15-0:30 | ¥5,000 advance | 80 parking spaces |
| Munakata Taisha | Fukuoka | Every Dec 31 from 15:00 | – | Parking available; bus stop “Munakata Taisha-mae” |
| Miyajidake Shrine | Fukuoka | 2025: Great Purification from 17:00 on Dec 31 | – | 600 free parking spaces |
| Washio Atago Shrine | Fukuoka | Every Dec 31 from 23:00 | – | Parking available; 15-25 min walk from Muromi Station |
| Kumamoto Castle | Kumamoto | 2025-26: Jan 1, 9:00-17:00 | Free on Jan 1 only | Enter by the north gate, leave by the south gate |
| Aso Shrine | Kumamoto | 2025-26: traffic control 23:00 Dec 31 to 5:00 Jan 1 | – | 10 temporary parking lots |
| Usa Jingu | Oita | 2025-26: upper shrine 0:00-21:00 on Jan 1 | – | Traffic control from 23:00 on Dec 31 |
| Kirishima Jingu | Kagoshima | 2025-26: Kyumen drums around 0:00 on Jan 1 | – | Expect traffic jams |
| SPACE DISCO in Tenmonkan | Kagoshima | 2025: 22:00 to 1:00 am | – | 1st floor of Centerrace Tenmonkan |
A dash means the official page we checked does not state a price. Times and prices can change, so check each official page before you go.
2. Nagasaki Prefecture
Huis Ten Bosch: 5,000 fireworks on December 31, 2026
The Huis Ten Bosch countdown is on Thursday, December 31, 2026, with 5,000 fireworks at the moment of the new year. The special fireworks seats are all reserved: at the Water Garden venue, W-S seats ¥5,000 and W-A seats ¥3,000; at the Marine Front venue, Exciting seats ¥5,000, SS block ¥3,000, Arena block ¥2,500 and A block ¥2,000. There are also pair seats (¥10,000 per table), Garden Terrace seats (¥20,000 per table) and VIP seats (¥21,000 and ¥24,000 per seat). A separate Huis Ten Bosch entry ticket is needed; with an annual passport, entry is a flat ¥2,400. Official countdown page (Japanese)
In 2025 there were 8,000 fireworks and the park stayed open until 2:00 am (announcement of September 17, 2025, PR TIMES, Japanese). Hours for 2026 are not posted yet. The car park fills on a first come, first served basis, and there is no refund if it is full. If you stay on December 30 at one of the 5 official hotels, a passport is included the next day, so you do not need a December 31 entry ticket. The “Fuyu Toku Enjoy! Huis Ten Bosch ticket” can also be used on the day; see our Japanese page on the JR Kyushu Winter Deal Huis Ten Bosch ticket.
To stay over for New Year’s Eve: See hotels in Huis Ten Bosch and Sasebo on Rakuten Travel (ad)
| Name | Huis Ten Bosch |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki |
| Hours / Closed | December 31, 2026 (Thursday), 5,000 fireworks at the moment of the new year |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
3. Fukuoka Prefecture
Moji Port Retro: KANMON KANPAI for its 30th anniversary in 2025
Moji Port Retro’s New Year’s Eve was “KANMON KANPAI” on December 31, 2025, from 19:00 to 2:15 am, with free entry. It was a one-night event for the 30th anniversary, with a food market from 19:00 and a stage from 22:00. There was no parking, and visitors were advised to use public transport. JR Moji Port Station had a train for Hakata at 0:55 and one for Kokura at 2:20, and the Kanmon ferry added 6 round trips from 22:00, with the last leaving Moji Port at 0:50. The 2026 event has not been announced. Moji Port Retro “KANMON KANPAI” (Crossroad Fukuoka) (Japanese)
| Name | Moji Port Retro |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-3-3 Nishikaigan, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka (Kanmon Straits Museum lawn) |
| Hours / Closed | December 31, 2025, 19:00–2:15 next day |
| Phone | 093-331-6700 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Tsuiki Town countdown fireworks: on the beach from 0:00
The Tsuiki Town countdown fireworks were launched from 0:00 on January 1, 2026, on the beach in front of Hamanomiya Tsunajiki Tenmangu, and admission was free. It is about 8 minutes from Tsuiki IC and Shiida IC, and may be cancelled in bad weather. It is described as an annual event. Tsuiki Town countdown fireworks (Crossroad Fukuoka) (Japanese)
| Name | Tsuiki Town countdown fireworks |
|---|---|
| Address | Beach in front of Hamanomiya Tsunajiki Tenmangu, Tsuiki Town, Chikujo-gun, Fukuoka |
| Hours / Closed | For 2025–26, from 0:00 on January 1, 2026 |
| Phone | 0930-31-0306 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
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Dazaifu: Kanzeonji and Kaidanin lit up from 17:00 on December 31
Dazaifu City lights up Kanzeonji and Kaidanin from 17:00 on Thursday, December 31, 2026 to about 3:00 am (Kaidanin until about 1:00 am). It is free. To reduce crowding, public transport is advised, and Kanzeonji’s parking lot cannot be used. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station, and about 10 minutes from Gojo Station. It may be cancelled or changed by weather. Light-up in Dazaifu (Crossroad Fukuoka) (Japanese). For New Year visits to Dazaifu Tenmangu, see our Japanese page on 4 shrines for New Year in Fukuoka.
| Name | Kanzeonji and Kaidanin |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-6-1 Kanzeonji, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka |
| Hours / Closed | December 31, 2026, 17:00–about 3:00 next day (Kaidanin until about 1:00 next day) |
| Phone | 092-921-2121 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Fukuoka Sylvester Concert: from 22:15
In 2025, the Fukuoka Sylvester Concert was held at Fukuoka Sunpalace from 22:15 to 0:30 on December 31. Tickets were ¥5,000 in advance and ¥5,500 on the day, doors opened at 20:30, students 18 and under paid ¥2,000 in advance and ¥2,500 on the day, and children 3 and over need a ticket. It is a concert where choir and orchestra performers are recruited from the public; 2025 was the 9th. There are 80 parking spaces, and it is about 1 minute on foot from the Nishitetsu bus stop “Ishiki-cho”. 2026 has not been announced. Fukuoka Sylvester Concert 2025 (Crossroad Fukuoka) (Japanese)
| Name | Fukuoka Sunpalace (Fukuoka Sylvester Concert) |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-1 Chikko Honmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
| Hours / Closed | December 31, 2025, doors open 20:30, 22:15–0:30 next day |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Munakata Taisha: Great Purification and New Year’s Eve ritual from 15:00 on December 31
Munakata Taisha holds the Great Purification (oharae) ritual from 15:00 every December 31, followed by the New Year’s Eve ritual at the main hall. There is parking. It is about 12 minutes by car from JR Akama Station, or take the Nishitetsu bus from the north exit of Togo Station (about 12 minutes) to “Munakata Taisha-mae”, right at the shrine. Munakata Taisha rituals (Crossroad Fukuoka) (Japanese)
| Name | Munakata Taisha |
|---|---|
| Hours / Closed | Every December 31 from 15:00 |
| Phone | 0940-62-1311 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Miyajidake Shrine: Great Purification, fire-calming ritual and New Year’s Eve ritual from 17:00
In 2025, Miyajidake Shrine announced a year-end Great Purification from 17:00 on December 31, followed by a fire-calming ritual and then the New Year’s Eve ritual (time of the latter not set). There are 600 free parking spaces. It is about 25 minutes on foot from JR Fukuma Station, or about 3 minutes on foot from the Nishitetsu bus stop “Miyajidake Jinja-mae”. Miyajidake Shrine rituals (Crossroad Fukuoka) (Japanese)
| Name | Miyajidake Shrine |
|---|---|
| Hours / Closed | In 2025, Great Purification, fire-calming ritual, and New Year's Eve ritual from 17:00 on December 31 |
| Phone | 0940-52-0016 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Washio Atago Shrine: New Year’s Eve ritual by candlelight from 23:00
The New Year’s Eve ritual at Washio Atago Shrine starts at 23:00 every December 31 and is held by candlelight. There is parking, and it is about 15 to 25 minutes on foot from Muromi Station (subway) or the Nishitetsu bus stop “Atago-shita”. Washio Atago Shrine ritual (Crossroad Fukuoka) (Japanese)
| Name | Washio Atago Shrine |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-7-1 Atago, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
| Hours / Closed | Every December 31 from 23:00 |
| Phone | 092-881-0103 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
4. Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto Castle: special opening from 9:00 on January 1, free on that day only
In 2025-26, Kumamoto Castle had a special opening from 9:00 to 17:00 on January 1 (last entry 16:00), and admission was free on January 1 only. From January 2, it is ¥800 for high school students and older, ¥300 for elementary and junior high school students. It was closed on December 29 and open on December 30 and 31. On January 1, the route was in by the north gate and out by the south gate, and Gyokozaka slope was downhill only. Kumamoto City announces the year-end schedule in late December. Kumamoto City press release (updated December 25, 2025) (Japanese)
| Name | Kumamoto Castle |
|---|---|
| Hours / Closed | For 2025–26, January 1, 2026, 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Aso Shrine: traffic control from 23:00 on December 31
Around Aso Shrine in 2025-26, traffic was controlled from 23:00 on December 31 to 5:00 on January 1, and in set zones from 8:00 to 17:00 from January 1 to 4. There were 10 temporary parking lots, including the 3rd lot (180 cars and 6 buses), the former Miyaji Elementary School site (300 cars) and the central paid lot (84 cars). The grounds are one-way to ease crowds. Aso Shrine’s New Year parking map (archived December 2025) (Japanese)
| Name | Aso Shrine |
|---|---|
| Hours / Closed | For 2025–26, traffic control from 23:00 on December 31 to 5:00 on January 1, and within set zones from 8:00–17:00 from January 1 to 4 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. Oita Prefecture
Usa Jingu: prayers at the upper shrine from 0:00 on January 1
In 2025-26, Usa Jingu opened its upper shrine from 0:00 on January 1, and prayer requests were taken from 0:00 to 19:00. The upper shrine gate was open from 0:00 to 21:00 on January 1. Kurehashi bridge was open all day from 6:00 on December 31, and from January 1 to 3 the gate opened at 5:00 and closed at 22:00. Traffic was controlled around the shrine from 23:00 on December 31 to 17:00 on January 4, and the monorail stops from December 31 to January 4. Usa Jingu’s New Year visit notice (archived December 2025) (Japanese). For the basics, see our Japanese page on Usa Jingu.
| Name | Usa Jingu |
|---|---|
| Address | 2859 Minamiusa, Usa City, Oita |
| Hours / Closed | For 2025–26, on January 1: Upper Shrine 0:00–21:00, prayer reception 0:00–19:00 |
| Phone | 0978-37-0001 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
6. Kagoshima Prefecture
Kirishima Jingu: Kyumen drums around 0:00 on January 1
In 2025-26, Kirishima Jingu offered a Kirishima Kyumen Taiko drum performance in front of the shrine office around 0:00 at the new year. On January 1 the amulet office was open from 0:00 to 24:00 and prayers from 0:00 to 19:00. On January 2 and 3, the amulet office opened at 7:30 and prayers ran from 8:00 to 19:00. Traffic jams are expected, and the shrine advises early preparation. Kirishima Jingu New Year guide (December 31, 2025) (Japanese). For the basics, see our Japanese page on Kirishima Jingu.
| Name | Kirishima Jingu |
|---|---|
| Address | 2608-5 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima |
| Hours / Closed | For 2025–26, Kyumen drums around 0:00 at the new year. On January 1, amulet office 0:00–24:00, prayers 0:00–19:00 |
| Phone | 0995-57-0001 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
SPACE DISCO in Tenmonkan: 22:00 to 1:00 am
In Tenmonkan, Kagoshima City, a New Year’s Eve event was held from 22:00 on December 31, 2025 to 1:00 am at Centerrace Square on the 1st floor of Centerrace Tenmonkan. It was sponsored by Kagoshima City and organized by Afro&Co. The 2026 event has not been announced. Kagoshima City page (SPACE DISCO COUNTDOWN KAGOSHIMA 2025-2026) (Japanese)
For the first sunrise of the year, see our Japanese page on first sunrises in Fukuoka, Kitakyushu and Itoshima; for year-end dates in Fukuoka, see the Fukuoka year-end guide (both Japanese).
| Name | Centerrace Tenmonkan (SPACE DISCO COUNTDOWN KAGOSHIMA) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1 Sennichi-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima |
| Hours / Closed | December 31, 2025, 22:00–1:00 next day |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Sources
15 pages we checked
- Huis Ten Bosch: Grand Finale Night Countdown 2026-2027
- Huis Ten Bosch: Announcement of September 17, 2025 (PR TIMES)
- Moji Port Retro: KANMON KANPAI (Crossroad Fukuoka)
- Tsuiki Town: Countdown fireworks (Crossroad Fukuoka)
- Dazaifu City: Light-up in Dazaifu (Crossroad Fukuoka)
- Fukuoka Sylvester Concert 2025 (Crossroad Fukuoka)
- Munakata Taisha: Great Purification and New Year’s Eve ritual (Crossroad Fukuoka)
- Miyajidake Shrine: Year-end rituals (Crossroad Fukuoka)
- Washio Atago Shrine: New Year’s Eve ritual (Crossroad Fukuoka)
- Kumamoto City: Year-end and New Year opening of Kumamoto Castle
- Aso Shrine: 2026 New Year temporary parking map
- Usa Jingu: Request for New Year visits
- Kirishima Jingu: 2026 New Year guide
- Kagoshima City: SPACE DISCO COUNTDOWN KAGOSHIMA 2025-2026
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on October 26, 2026 (Japan time).
